These last few weeks have been a buzz of activity. I’ve been joyfully wrapping up the season of summer - actually squeezing what little life I can out of summer before I have to haul out the sweaters and pants. Everything that I love is associated with summer, including camping, biking, playing pickleball, and eating on the outside patio of a restaurant. We did it all in a flurry of “grab it while you can” activity. September was kind, allowing us a few extra weeks of summer delight.
This morning, my husband pointed out the frost that had formed on our neighbor’s roof. We are going to go play what might be our last outdoor game of pickleball for many months.
Summer gave me great joy, and with the ending of this glorious season, one must look forward to the JOY of the cold seasons.
The things that are sure to bring me JOY: a good book, watching a good movie, going to the Children’s Museum with my 3-year-old grandson, watching my baby grandson learn to roll over, babble, and sit up. Playing board games and doing puzzles with my husband. A good hearty stew. Taking short trips and staying in a hotel, instead of a in camper. Museums. Pickleball indoors (no South Dakota wind to send our ball flying across the prairie). Full church services. Thanksgiving, Christmas (and what makes Christmas better than a young child’s squeal of delight with each new gift?). You’ll notice I don’t list snow, ice, and cold as joy-invoking things – I tolerate those in order to get to the good stuff.
And then, let’s be honest – there are the three weeks we spend luxuriating in the warmth of Florida sunshine in February.
I am beyond thankful for the JOY of another beautiful and fun-filled summer. And I promise myself that I will find joy as the winter winds begin to blow. I have my family, my health, all those indoor activities, and a trip to Florida to keep me full of joy.