Summer!
Summer is finally here! It took way longer than usual. The weather did not seem to want to cooperate and we had rain and chill in the Bay Area up until last week, which is unheard of. But now, finally, the weather is gorgeous. The sun is shining. And school is ending. I adore summer vacation. I lived for it as a kid, and as a parent, I am in love with what it does for my kids. I love the pause in the day-to-day, not just for a week or two, but for long enough that we have the opportunity to come back into ourselves, to grow, and shed old skins, and become freer, lighter, more relaxed versions of ourselves.
Writing time is trickier for me in the summer. It's less predictable. I'm used to writing when both kids are at school and my husband is at work. The kids do some camps in the summer, so that's clear writing time. But when they're not in camps, I have to challenge myself to write in the in-betweens, those surprise moments when suddenly I realize everyone is busy doing their own thing and I could actually get some writing done. That's harder for me. But I can do it when I set my mind to it. It's worth the extra effort. Because summer also inspires me in a way that no other season does.
It's as if my soul is made of sunlight, and when the sun is shining my insides light up to match it. I want to dance like Snoopy and jump around like Tigger and sing like the happy music at the end of every Disney movie. And when all that joy slips inside me and allows me to pour myself into my writing, it's true fun. And when it means I'm off somewhere else pouring myself into my family or a new adventure that ends up inspiring the writing, too. So it's a win-win.
Summer vacation has just started for us. My baby graduated from elementary school yesterday. And my teen finishes her last day of school early today. So we're just on the cusp, the very beginning, where the summer stretches out in possibility. And because my younger one is changing schools, our break is two and a half weeks longer than usual. I think I'm even more excited about that than he is. I know by the end of the summer I'll be missing my steady school day writing time. But I just think kids need nice long summer vacations. And maybe I do too.
Happy summer!!
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