Soulful Reminders of Summer Lessons
Soulful Reminders of Summertime Lessons
©Jane A. Simington PhD.
The month of August is upon us and with it comes the draw for families to retreat from the business of city life into the calm and peace-filled realms of the natural world. What is it, about the lake shore, the forest that mesmerizes? What memories are awakened?
My daughter’s i-Phone messaged photos and Facebook posts of her children’s enjoyable times during their lakeside vacation, engaged in trail-biking, fishing, boating, water-skiing, and cliff-jumping into clear mountain waters, stirred in me numerous past summertime vacation reminders of when my own children were engaged in similar activities.
The resulting nostalgic conversations with my husband, as we shared in the joys of our daughter’s family, tripped both of us into a reverie, reminiscent of the stanza from Fiddler on the Roof.
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this my little boy at play? I don’t remember growing older; when did they? When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn’t it yesterday that they were small? Sunrise sunset, sunrise sunset; swiftly flow the days.
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as they gaze.
Sunrise sunset, sunrise sunset; Swiftly fly the years.
Pondering the “Down and under” and “Up and out” emotional elements of the lyrics reminded me, that in every moment of reminiscing, there is always a choice to remember and re-enjoy, or to recall and grieve for what is no longer.
Perhaps the greatest gift in our summertime’s luring back to nature, in the re-awakening of how through Her seasonal changes, Nature reminds us of the constant Turning of Life’s Wheel.
I have seen many sunrises and many sunsets, some joy-filled, some tear-filled. The photos sent from my daughter of her sons’ summertime glory made me aware that in all of my experiences, the sum total of what I have learned is of the preciousness of youth and of the deep need to celebrate their special moments; for there are rarely second chances to do so.
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Dr. Jane Simington, PhD
Author
Dr. Jane Simington, PhD is a grief and trauma therapist, educator, researcher and best-selling author, with an educational background in both Nursing and Psychology. The success of Dr. Jane's methods in helping more than 400 people heal and rebuild their lives after tragedy is based on her ability to combine up-to-date knowledge of grief, trauma and suicide-related issues, with an extensive knowledge of alternative healing methods, including therapeutic art, guided imagery, and energy work. Dr. Jane Simington, PhD has received recognition and awards for her work, including being honored as a Woman of Vision by Global TV, and as a Woman of Distinction by the YWCA.
