The Lull of Summer

Summer nights now. Look a lot different than they used to.

I remember the days. With four Babes in six years. Like they were yesterday.

Those were some looooong days. Beautifully simple ones, too.

Grubby faces from playing outside. Sweaty little bodies crawling onto my lap. Popsicles and fireflies. Lunch, pool, nap time. On repeat.

I got to dress those sweet Babes exactly how I wanted. And most days. They looked at me with hearts in their eyes. Little boys swearing they’d marry me one day.

I wanted to gobble up their deliciousness most of the day. But somehow—around 7 pm—they didn’t seem all that cute anymore:) And I longed to put them to bed early. As I watched the last minutes before bedtime tick on and on and on…

Every little thing. Seemed to hold extra magic. And their wonder and curiosity. Made me see my own life with fresh eyes.

They were besties. Not longing for anything. Or anyone. Outside the walls of our happily, insulated home.

And those days. Shaped us. Nurtured us. Nudged us. Into a tight, little unit. One that would prepare us. Fortify our hearts and minds. For a life that wouldn’t always be so simple.

And for some reason. Even though these innocent days are long gone. And the Babes are scattered. Being grown and awesome in their own right. Summer always brings me back to the simple, pure pleasures of life. And these days. Flash before my eyes. Like a nostalgic picture show. Screaming, “This is your life, Shelly! Lucky you. Be a good steward of it. Right NOW!”

So, dear ones, please don’t forget to remember. That the world is a good place. Filled with the purest moments. So let the magic of summer. Lull you back. Into every bit of its ordinary goodness. You won’t regret it. Trust me.