Summers Past

This is the first summer of my life that isn't a vacation. It hasn't felt like any of the other 22 sunny seasons I lived through. It hasn't really felt like summer at all. Blame it on the extra long spring Seattle has been suffering, but in reality, I think it's because of what I like to call "the real world effect".

The real world effect is the little pains and joys I am slowly learning about growing up and life outside of that of a student. All my life summer meant freedom, relaxing, and day after day fun. Now, it's just another work week. I am still trying to figure out where June went? Life is flying by so quickly.

I miss being a kid. Summer when I was thirteen consisted of running through sprinklers, bike rides to go buy ice cream, and night games with the neighbor kids. Of course there was the dreaded "chores" we would be given, but even those don't seem so bad now. Summer was weekend get-aways with the fam, Camp Perkins with Liz, sleep-outs on the tramp, and daily adventures with Nate.

My whole life I have been so excited to grow up, to be mature and adult. For the first time, this summer, I wish I was 13 again. So enjoy that ice cold lemonade, sunset stroll around the block, and Dad's burger hot off the grill for as long as you can.