Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

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i just want summer to last

August 23, 2013 By Sandra Heska King

summer lilleebubblemoment

I’m sitting in a black wrought iron chair on the patio, munching a cream-cheesed cinnamon-raisin bagel. I hadn’t meant to eat a bagel. I’d meant to opt for something more healthy–like scrambled egg whites tossed with spinach and tomatoes and onions. But I’m housebreaking a new puppy, and it’s a grab-and-go day.  (We swore there’d never be another dog–that Rose was the last.)

I set my mug down on the grill shelf. We’ve only used this grill two or three times this year. I’ve never even gotten around to cleaning it, but it’s the only above-concrete surface. The picnic table and benches are in the garage still waiting to be stained.

The green plastic tables are still in the shed. What used to be the herb garden is overgrown with mutant-tall Queen Anne’s Lace, and a garter snake slithers down the edge of the rocks lining it.

The area around the bird feeder’s overgrown, too, with weeds and a couple volunteer sunflowers that tower over the shepherd’s hook. I think a grate hides in there somewhere. It’s where we always mean to have a little camp-style fire on a cool night. The grass needs mowing, the leaves are turning–and I just want summer to last.

The air vibrates with cicada songs and crow caws, with the steady hum of highway  in the background. The grass glistens all dew drenched, and cabbage butterflies skim soybeans.

But the moments, they pass, and I want them to stop. I want this moment–cool morning breeze and sun’s heat rising and puppy chewing my toes–to last.

I just want summer to last.

Wesley scatters sand, bounds after a stray butterfly, and when he comes back with a pinecone, I pick a slug off his wet belly.

And I want his exuberant joy and delight in discovery.

summer weslydigging

summer wesleyattention

summer-wesleyandgrace

summer strikezone

The black-eyed Susans are holding their own, but the daisies are fading, and I just want summer to last.

The other day I retrieve the ball as Grace pitches it at a pink-ribboned “strike zone” on the fence.

And Lillee runs and puckers, and bubbles rise and pop and float away like so many dreams and seasons.

But one stray bubble rests in mosquito bush arms.

 

summer bubblecaught

summer lilleeblowingbubbles

summer bubblenesting

I just want summer to last.

But it will pass in its season because everything has a season, and I’ll be another year older when it returns, maybe, God willing, because all things things of earth will eventually pass away like bubbles in the breeze. So we must carry these moments in the bubbles of our memories.

But I just want summer to last.

summer colorchange

 Still holding onto summer,

Sandy

Joining Lisa-Jo and company on the prompt last–though I’m pretty sure this writing lasted more than five minutes.

Five Minute Friday

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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Pamela says

    August 23, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    I have the same wish–that summer would last. My daughter goes back to the university a week from Monday and those days side by side cooking, cleaning, talking and just plain old craziness will be gone. Enjoy your last few moments.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      August 24, 2013 at 12:45 am

      Cherish these side-by-side days of crazy and love, Pamela.

  2. Eileen says

    August 23, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I don’t want summer to end either! Beautiful post.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      August 24, 2013 at 12:30 am

      Thank you, Eileen. Shall we picket autumn? 😉

  3. Martha Orlando says

    August 23, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Our bubbles . . . the precious ones which expand in response to our gentle breath, transforming miraculously into the large and bulbous ones our grandchild begs for: “Big one, Gammie! Big one!”
    “I’ll try, Virginia!”
    And, sometimes, the summer lasts, and the bubbles grow large, letting us know that, when the season passes, precious memories fill our hearts.
    This post so touched me, Sandy, deeply and truly. Thank you for your inspiration, my friend! Would you mind if I let this comment here be a leaping off point for a future blog? I will, of course, make reference to your blog.
    Thanks and blessings!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      August 24, 2013 at 12:29 am

      Oh, Martha. I’m so glad it touched you. And to know it breathed the bubble of your own blog post makes me smile so big. 🙂

  4. Rosanne says

    August 24, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    Summer seems to speed by quicker every year! I agree with you! I want summer to last too! 🙂 This was beautiful.

  5. Janel says

    August 25, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    first of all, that picture of the bubble stuck in the bush is fascinating. All those pointy parts on the leaves and yet it still stays in form. That is awesome.
    second, like usual I find myself swept up in your writing! Love that little Wesley…aren’t puppies (and little children) so full of discovery and adventure that sometimes we forget exists?! I so hear you about wanting to hold on to moments and yet realizing there is a season for everything. Thank you friend.

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