~ Artsy Essay is Back ~

  

The theme for this month is:

Squeezing every last drop of sunshine out of summer

 

I knew Judith was back with the 'Artsy Essay' because I saw Sam's entry over at Dockline's  last month.  The topic for that was good, but the timing was off.  I knew I couldn't partake.  This month when I saw the subject my head & heart went into a whirlwind.  Not because I thought I could win, my writing is not good... not even close to the others who partake, but because it made me think about the events of this summer and how I tried to squeeze every last bit of life out of the sunshine this summer brought.  Or was it just squeeze every bit of life?  I haven't decided.  This might get a bit deep for some, and family you may want to click that little red x up on the right.  I do love you!   LOL Ok so you all might want to click on the red x.  This probably won't even be close to staying on the topic.  Here goes...........

 

Most of you know my sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in March.  Cancer is not new to my family, not even close.  This is not about sympathy but about how I reacted.  How I squeezed....... or how I am squeezing.

 

Summer months go by so fast.  The sun rises in the East, sets in the West and everything in between seems to be fun and carefree.  Taking everything for granted.  This year I woke early to catch the sun coming up over the houses across the street.  I wanted to see the faint glow turn into bright red, yellow, andoranges.  The rays dancing off the roof tops, the leaves moving with the gentle breeze as their glossy coating was illuminated.  Birds chirping, the smell of the dew as it evaporated into the air.  Warmth making its way through the curtains.  Life is so short.

 

Work has been work.  I wished those days away, but not without noticing the smell of various colognes, voices and laughs.  The bitter smell of ink as the printers and copiers had their cartridges changed.  The sounds and tones of different phones ringing, people being paged.  Foods being cooked in the microwave.  Something I use to be able to block out.  Not now.  It all seems so important.  Life is so short.

 

Rainy days did not go by without being noticed.  I squeezed the sunshine and beauty out of each drop and sound.  The patter as drops fell upon the garden and grass to serve as a drink.  The glistening of those drops even though there was no sun.  The smell of earth, nature, ozone.  Fresh and clean.  Large and small drops alike as they rolled off the petals of each flower, each leaf, each blade of grass.  Even if it spoiled plans for the day, life is too short not to notice the sunshine hidden within.  I squeezed it out.  In my car, in my house, or at the lake.  Grabbing each moment and holding it dear. 

 

Spending time with loved ones, friends, and family.  Making as many plans as possible.  Sharing the day on the deck with a cold drink, rain or shine.  Swimming and playing games.  Boating in the calmness of the lake, long walks, short walks.  Big meals or a quick bite.  Hugs and kisses.  Saying I love you.  Sightseeing in the area even if I've seen things a million times before.  Always something new, different, alive.  Grabbing as many pictures as possible to keep the events forever alive.  Some of you may have seen a bit of this transition in the collages I've done.

 

Tuesday's are dear to me.  Rain or shine I squeeze what I can out of the day.  Standing in line to buy that milkshake.  The smell of vanilla as it is poured into the mixer.  The smell of sugars, dough, and sweet fillings of the doughnuts.  The rumble of the mixer as it stirs the ice cream into a thick frosty drink.  The coldness on my hand as I take it out to the car.  Most of all, the smile on my sisters face when I show up at her house with it.  Her eyes dance and twinkle even though the day was rough.  I would like to think that she lights up for me showing up as much as for the milkshake after a day of chemo.  Either way.  I light up.  I feel her warmth, her strength, her courage.  She, by God, is squeezing how can I not?

 

So, you see, it really isn't about sunshine or summer.  It's about squeezing.  Squeezing every second, minute, hour of every day.  Late at night as the sun sets.  The sky fills with yellow, blue, purple, and red.  The crickets sing lullabies.  Quietness falls as gently as the dew.  The moon begins to shine and you realized you squeezed all you can out of the day and it's time for sleep so you can start squeezing again tomorrow.  Life is so short.

 

Hugs

~d

Tags: artsy essay, life, summer, squeeze, blog plugs