Her Name Was Summer

This is a ‘Feel-good Friday’ post. I’m almost sure my son will not read this- so here goes😊! I have always been intrigued with the innocence of childhood. The simple things that can bring a smile to child’s face. As I reflect on my childhood, I marvel at the how much fun we had doing ‘plain-vanilla’ activities. My siblings and I [friends too] were uncomplicated and undemanding. Very low-maintenance. It didn’t take much to have us giggling or having those moments of belly aching laughter. We smiled at just about everything.

She was the one of the reasons my son smiled a lot.😊💖

Her name was Summer and she lived next door. That’s as much as I knew about her. She would ring my doorbell very often with a winning smile on her face. I knew she didn’t come to see me. They would play endlessly and my son’s world lit up. It was easy to see that she was his first crush! I think she just loved to ‘baby-sit’ as she was a few years older.😊

We all need a ‘Summer’. Someone or something that lights up our world. That person or that thing gives us some respite from the rigors of life. Sometimes we truly need to forget it all – even for a moment. Take a moment to allow ourselves ‘live, laugh and love’. Take a moment to smile; to laugh. Laughter truly is a great medicine. It lightens burdens, boosts immunity, lessens stress and lifts our mood.

Life is filled much pain, tragedy, and sorrow. The heart was not meant to continually be in a state of agony or distress. Life doesn’t always play fair. I find we have to be intentional about our responses to all that comes our way. Ever so often we have to laugh at ourselves and those crazy situations that come to upend our lives. Occasionally we need a ‘Summer’ to shift our focus in a healthy way.

So do you have a ‘Summer’? Who or what helps you to recharge? Take a moment to surround yourself with ‘what’ or ‘who’ brings smile or laughter to your world. Words of wisdom from a wise king: “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” [Ecclesiastes 8:15]

 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” [Proverbs 15:13]

 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” [Proverbs 17:22]

****Thanks for reading -‘ Smile a while and give your face a rest..’