Hello June
Finally, June is here. I don’t know about you, but the month of June is perhaps my favorite month when the arrival of summertime gifts us with warm winds and nature’s full blossom.
I love June. I try to be accepting of mid-November when our corner of the world seems to take pause and stand firm in her need to remind us we don’t always need to be outwardly productive and colorful. I really do get that. Believe me, I’m happy to hibernate in winter with puzzles, quilt making, and soups. And, if not for seasons, we’d all be a bit less aware of nature’s spell. But, as I sit outside and relish in the symphony of emerging summer, I’m awed again and again by June’s palate of delights. Much to the dismay of my husband’s preference for air-conditioning, our windows remain open unless unlit candles start to melt. In other words, our windows are open, all the time. Recently I was stilled by the very robust chirping of a chipmunk who commanded the moment while perched on my outside fence. Such a little creature with a very determined expression gave me a lesson or two about how being aware can change the trajectory of a moment. November is necessary, but June is astonishing.
June is also about outdoor concerts and justifying ice cream for dinner. Best of all, neighborhood playgrounds come alive by playful energy of children now in summer recess. Clothing is simple and farmer’s markets connect the fruits of local farm fields to the freshest meals at our dinner tables.
I also love June’s reminders of tolerance. There are few things I know for sure, but one such truth for me is that we all function better if we feel heard and understood. As an advocate for suicide and mental health awareness, I love the Pride celebrations of June. Societal acceptance has improved for the LGBTQ plus community, but I’m sure there are many who feel the journey towards expanding tolerance must continue. Many of our neighbors have been an easy target for judgement and exclusion because of differences in sexual orientation or gender identity. Joining in festive celebrations which openly celebrate our differences is a good exercise in bridging gaps of diversity. Pride festivals invite all of us to sing and dance together, as everyone deserves the opportunity to live in their truth.
As I type, I sit outside just before dusk beneath a canopy trees whose restored foliage dance gracefully amidst the balmy wind’s song. I observe the reach of newly planted flowers as they settle in to radiant growth. Corn sprouts in our surrounding farm fields remind us of the potential of a single seed when nurtured by the sun and the rain. 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 presence atop this nest of a robin protecting her fragile blue eggs. Now, I trust this expanded family of birds are singing and flying between our surrounding trees. I find the awe of nature to be such a realization of hope.
June offers the opportunity to reset ourselves supported by vibrant renewal. April and May have done their jobs quite well 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 symphony of June in full bloom. As dusk prepares to retire this day, I’m grateful June will still be here tomorrow.