Yikes, I only have 13 of these left!

I was casually reading a parenting magazine the other day when I saw this, “You only get 18 summers. Make them great.” It was an advertisement for summer camp beckoning parents to get their child in on the big fun. Then it started to sink in; 18 summers. My mind quickly flashed to graduation caps and ceremonies; barbecue, friends, family, laughter and celebrations.

Our summers around here can be a little crazy. Mainly because Juliana has to adapt to a new routine and more downtime. If you’ve been following my blog a while, you may remember my ugh! ugh! ugh! post. But this year, she will once again attend a camp she loves and it makes the days better when there is less idle time. After reading that ad, my perspective about our summers started to change. Eighteen is not a lot when compared to a lifetime of summers.

If you’re reading this post around the Memorial Day weekend, you may be gearing up for a cookout, finishing up a graduation celebration or taking a moment to remember those who have died in service to our country. For me, there is so much nostalgia this time of year. Graduation banners and flags fill my neighborhood. It gives me reason to pause, ponder and smile.

This pre-summer season we had countless friends celebrate as their teenagers finished high school in prep for their next chapters. “It goes fast. Enjoy it while you can,” they warn. Yes, I listen when people tell us this. But something about the 18-year ad stuck hard with me, making me realize that we are already down to 13 summers. We better really make ’em count!

So, the other day when we hit the dollar store for our annual “summer-toys-shopping-spree,” I wanted to make sure that we made an extra memory of it this year and Jessa played right into it. “Daddy,” Jessa yelled to Lamar when he came into the house. “Guess what I got?” “What?” he answered fully engaged. “A kite!” she answered with a twinkle in her eye. With that, the event was set in motion. We all barreled to the front door with Jessa’s dollar store kite gripped tight to make a sail. For some reason, it was really windy that day. And for the first time ever, Jessa flew a kite. Not wimpy like a first-timer. Really high, like a pro!

“Enjoy it while you can,” friends say. Yeah, I hear ya and I’m all over it. Summer #5 is already starting out beautifully.