City Dads Group

Navigating Fatherhood Together

  • About Us
  • What is City Dads Group?
  • Contact
  • Meetups
  • Boot Camps
  • Start a Group
  • Join A Group
  • Podcast
  • Outreach
  • Press
  • Blog

So Long Summer, This Parent Says It’s Time to Go

September 23, 2015 by Creed Anthony Leave a Comment

family shadows on beach so long summer

“So Long Summer” photo by Creed Anthony.

I think of summer as a relative that comes to visit. You know, that favorite aunt or uncle who greets you with a hug and a smile. The relative delights you with stories and adventures and you can’t believe how much fun you are having – until you realize that it is about to end.

I don’t think the season dies. I merely think summer takes a break. Sometimes, like that aunt or uncle, she comes back for a brief visit before a long absence and you are reminded of all that is humorous and right with the world. Your steps are a little lighter, your stride is stronger. The sun shines brighter.

But eventually she has to catch her bus. She has to go – wherever that mystical place that aunts and uncles go when the Greyhound pulls off yet she doesn’t leave you empty handed.

The souvenirs summer leaves are bountiful — sights, smells, tastes, naps all encased in photos, tans, postcards and memories. These gifts only become stagnant if you don’t visit them, and care for them, and celebrate them even after they have happened. They become stagnant when you don’t remember the sound of the splash of the water, or the warmth of the sun, or the grit of the sand between your toes. They become stagnant when you don’t relish and revisit the sly smile of a child right before they take the first lick of a frozen treat from the first summer ice cream truck.

As the sounds of school buses revving their engines take over the previously quiet mornings, summer takes this as her signal to get on her bus.

But she will be back and, technically, if you hold on to those memories, those adventures, to all of her sounds, smells, tastes and tales – she never really leaves.

A version of this first appeared on Tales from the Poop Deck.

Related

Filed Under: memories Tagged With: autumn, summer

About Creed Anthony

Creed Anthony, founder of the Indianapolis Dads Group, is a father of two, a seasonal stay-at-home dad, and Cleveland transplant. He blogs at Tales from the Poop Deck and Balcony Dads.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our newsletter

Privacy


City Dads on YouTube


Join a City Dads Meetup Near You

Join a Group

Popular Recent Posts

  • Set Example of Good Parenting for Little Eyes, Ears are Always Upon You
  • Quitting Team Not an Option Because Participation is More Valuable
  • ‘Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad’ Book to Eschew Bro Talk, Empty Platitudes
  • Vernon Gibbs Wants ‘Good Fruit’ to Help End Bad Nutrition Habits
  • ‘Crip Camp’ Stars’ Parenting Wisdom Enable All to Overcome Obstacles
  • Positive Discipline Technique Allows You to be Kind Yet Firm with Teens
Visit the Blog

As seen, heard, and read in:

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Join City Dads Groups in these Cities
  • Resources
  • Media Kit
  • Advertise
Copyright 2019 City Dads Group | Privacy Policy