Living

Last week I made a list of things that I wanted to do this Summer. My goal was to have things to plan and look forward to that don't involve the 4 letter word (B-A-B-Y).

So far I have been knocking stuff off the list, including: going to get ice cream at a well known farm, making homemade lemonade, going to the beach and eating at a clam shack.



Yesterday was a perfect Summer day.

The beach was absolutely gorgeous and I just sat in the sand and let every detail sink in. The deep blue color of the sky, the warm wind off of the ocean, the spicy smell of the flowers that grow near the beach, the fine sand between my toes, the way the grass on the dunes swayed, the salty ocean breeze, the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves. I stared out at the horizon and it felt good to feel small. It can be exhausting to constantly be thinking about this VERY LARGE thing-- having kids-- and it's nice to get some perspective. Despite our trials, the Earth still spins, the sun still rises and sets and the oceans still roar.

After the beach we went to a retro clam shack that I fell in love with immediately. I ordered the clam strip and fries combo and we sat outside at a picnic table assessing our tans and sharing onion rings and lemonade. Once I got home I enjoyed one of my all time favorite rituals-- the post beach trip shower. I got out of the shower, freshly cleaned, just in time to enjoy one of the other reasons Summer rocks-- thunderstorms.

Lenny and I watched the sky turn dark and then glow green before the sky opened up. I love feeling the thunder through the windows as the house shakes. I love seeing the rain pounding the pavement and creating rivers in mere minutes. After the rain passed I had a glass of homemade lemonade and I thought to myself, "Today was good." It's days like yesterday that feed my soul and remind me why I want to bring new life into this world. The world is ugly and beautiful and messy and wonderful all at the same time.