Summer 2009: The Summer of Our Discontent

I love Summer. It is my favorite season. I love going to outdoor concerts, packing a picnic lunch and eating in the park, long walks, the sand between my toes at Watervale, starry nights, sleeping with the windows open, BBQs with friends, and the overall relaxed atmosphere of Summer.

But somehow, Summer 2009 has come and gone faster than the blink of an eye. Yesterday was Memorial Day; today is the 4th of July; and tomorrow is Labor Day. Except I know that we've had a little over 3 months since Memorial Day.

The weather has been unusual with August nights in the 40s when we should have been experiencing the Dog Days of Summer. We've had more rain and clouds than I can remember. I think I've turned the air conditioning on for a total of one week and I even seriously contemplated turning on the heat one night last week. Heck, I never even got my garden planted.

Yes, this summer has been most unusual. Immediately after Memorial Day, Mom called with the news that Nana wasn't expected to live through the night and I walked on eggshells every moment for the next month until the final call came saying Nana was with God.

So I guess I understand why this summer has been non-existent for me. I've been to Florida three times since July and skipped Watervale. I've worked in spurts when I could, but constantly feel like I'm starting and stopping. I've been physically present for my Chamber and LFC Board meetings and conference calls, although I don't think that I've contributed anything. I can't really remember the last fun thing I did, except I have this vague recollection that there were some truly wonderful moments around my birthday and in the midst of all my sadness and stress. I feel utterly detached from life.

The truly crazy thing about the Summer of 2009 though is that I'm not the only one for whom this has been a crazy upside down and inside out Summer. It seems that every time I turn around many of my friends are experiencing their own personal crises, whether its relationships ending, family members dying, losing a job, finding out they have cancer or some other illness, or one of a number of other traumas. There's something in the air this Summer that has rocked all of our worlds to the core.

My hope and prayer is that with the impending change of seasons, we can officially all bid farewell to the tragedies and pain that has afflicted our lives this summer and find the opportunities that lie before us. May the Summer of our Discontent be over and may Fall bring with it peace, contentment, and joy for each one of us.