The Symphony of June

Welcome June! I’ve been awaiting you for quite some time. I try hard to find the positives of November, January and February, but tomorrow marks the beginning of June and I couldn’t be happier. 

I love June’s invitation to make space. First there’s the space of time. Students have a respite from assignments and tests and deadlines. Teachers can retire their grade books at least for a few weeks. Children have space for impromptu play dates, picnic lunches at the pool and opportunities for movie nights where popcorn is served far past usual bedtimes. June gives you absolute permission to make time for a good book or space for writing.

June invites us to enjoy an early evening walk so we can participate in the marvel just outside our door. As I type, my windows are open. I hear the lawnmower from over there, and the delights of neighborhood children playing from over here. I listen to the birds serenading their songs amidst the gentle rustle of branches dancing softly in the wind. June’s symphony is full of amazement, if only we make time for awareness.

And then there’s the space for summer vacations where new experiences broaden our worlds. Mountain discoveries, beach finds, or countryside road trips offer opportunities for perspectives to expand and wonder to take hold. Our great state of Ohio has a multitude of destinations worthy of discovery. Any sort of vacation offers a refreshing break from the mundane and opportunity to recharge. Perhaps it’s time to make some plans.

The now empty bird’s nest which sits atop my front door wreath makes me smile. It was just a few weeks ago there was a constant maternal presence around this robin’s nest protecting the fragile blue eggs. Now, I trust this expanded family of birds is singing and flying between our surrounding trees. I find the awe of nature to be such a realization of hope.

All you have to do is bite into a fresh strawberry or snap a crisp stalk of asparagus to know it’s time to leave the heavy soups and layered casseroles for another time when comfort is best defined by cozying in from the cold. Tomorrow is June, which begins a vibrant journey into all things warm and open and fresh and delicious.

I have quite a few little people in and out of my house which means I absolutely need to have a freezer full of popsicles. Summertime is about the whimsy of dripping, slurping, smiling and purple tongues. Popsicles serve other purposes, too, which is a good reason to have them in constant supply. I’ve found popsicles have a healing power like no other. Immediate problems of little worlds, like the pain from stubbed toes or bleeding knee scrapes are easily remedied by an invitation to my freezer. Even missing a mom or dad can be countered with the grasp of a little hand, followed by, “What color would you like?” Most of the time, these frozen rainbows on a stick work magic in turning tears into laughter.  Popsicles are made of silly, and we all need a bit of that.

So, as we look to turn the calendar page to June, I wish all of us the opportunity to reset ourselves by vibrant renewal. April and May have done their jobs in encouraging landscapes to come alive once again. Nature is always showing us the way. If the past year has left you blind sighted, sad, or fatigued by the events of your centered world, a humble balm for your weary heart just might be to sit within the sonata of June in full bloom. As dusk prepares to retire this day, I’m grateful June will rise tomorrow.

Photo by Sergey Shmidt on Unsplash