While perusing the obituaries in our local newspaper, I am sometimes confused by the phrase “Celebration of Life”. As in, “A Celebration of Life will be held…” – this in lieu of a funeral. I can’t help but wonder if the deceased loved ones are skipping over the grief to get to the celebration. Just my opinion, but it seems we gotta be sad and say goodbye before we start the party.
Anyway, I got to thinking about how this “Celebration of Life” idea could work as I say goodbye to my beloved summer. Ah, summer. There is nothing I love more than summer. Shorts, open windows, camping, outdoor dining, biking, walking. The gardens, the trees, the birds. All of which makes me want to weep when I feel the cold air creeping in, and I notice the leaves start to lose their vibrant green.
So, this year, instead of weeping and pouting (OK, there is plenty of that too), I decided to do a Celebration of Summer’s Life on Labor Day. And, as in all my plans, my beloved husband gets dragged along (happily). First, a pickleball game. Outside. Sunshine. The never-ceasing South Dakota wind, but we are starting to get used to it. A brief rest, then off to a Sioux Falls Canaries baseball game. I’m not much into sports, but man, oh man, I love sitting outside in those stands. The bright green and brown of the artificial turf, the blurbs of pop songs from the announcer as the batter steps up, the cheers, the silly contests in between innings. Home for a nap. Then off to B & G Milky Way for an “Avalanche” – their version of a Dairy Queen blizzard. This month’s special flavor: Biscoff. Do you know those crazy delicious cookies they serve on Delta Airlines? OMG. Break them up and mix them into soft ice cream. It was heavenly.
It was a heavenly day, which brought me great JOY.
This morning, it was too cold to play pickleball outside (48°!). The Canaries are wrapping up their season. I imagine B & G Milky Way will be shuttering their windows soon.
Did this celebration help me mourn the loss of summer? I’m not sure yet. I still feel a pang of dread as the cool wind forces me to close my windows.
But it was sure fun to celebrate.