Hi everyone! Happy fall and all-things-cooler-weather-and-leaves-changing! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. My tradition for the past few years is to take off the summer completely from blogging, social media, or hustle-bustle-stuff-of-life. This is my 3rd year and couldn’t recommend it more! I think the summers go slower and become fuller this way. Isn’t that weird about technology or social media - that it feels like it can speed up life and then I miss it going by? I just don’t want to do that, especially with my kiddos being 13 and 15 (don’t remind me of how many summers I have left with them - instant tears, lots of tears - just ask my hubs). Ever since I got so sick in 2021-2022 (my book tells that story if you missed it), I have been seeking a slower, fuller, steadier, kinder, softer, quieter way of life. And, from an ambitious go-getter, that can be hard to do at times! But the summer boundaries remind me of the good and lovely life I have. Also after being so sick, I just am incredibly grateful to be living the life I get to live now. Without further adieu, let me show you a little bit of my summer.
I started the summer with my Dad. We went to a walking garden tour in downtown Durham, NC and I loved it all. The gardens were beautiful, yes. But I mainly enjoyed just walking with my Dad. I tear up even writing them and looking at the pictures, because there were years where we lived states away from my parents. Now, they are 5 minutes away and I see them every week - including multiple times when I text Dad about going to Lowes again. =) What a gift to be so close!
Speaking of gardens, mine was full of joy this summer! The garden exploded with blackberries and squash and flowers. We baked every possible recipe of blackberry cobbler to try to find the best one. That was a fun (and yummy) experiment! The dahlias and gladiolus were a treat too! I had some lime green and yellow glads and dark purple dahlias. I had never had those before, so they were a treat to see bud! My son googled these varieties and would tell me the stats of how rare they were. And, the dark purple dahlias are really rare. Sadly, my tomatoes didn’t do so well this year with the abundant rain and super-hot temps. Maybe next year.
We also spent some great time outside reading or on the deck with the dogs at night. Those memories with music on and dancing with the family (or embarrassing the kids with our millenial-dance moves) will remain treasures in my heart, for sure. BTW, have you all read ‘Empathy Economics’? It’s so good (but a bit dense) if you need a new book.
Then it was a simple summer of trips with the fam, a bit of travel, reading, hanging with the dogs, eating nachos outside way too many times, and joy. I went indoor rock climbing with my son (and had to muster up some courage to do so). I went running in the waves with my daughter. To say my heart is full is an understatement. I don’t want to talk too often about that season of being so sick like I mentioned earlier, but I do think that experience made me appreciate everything I get to do now. Like laughing because I remember a time when I physically couldn’t do that. While we were at the beach, my mom mentioned to my hubs how happy I was. “She’s just so happy!” And, she’s not wrong. I am surprised my joy often these days.
Well, that’s a wrap of what I’m dubbing the summer of joy. I’m looking forward to extending that to the fall season. And, a note to you if you are in a season where joy feels too far away. I remember that too and please know that I don’t write this post flippantly or like we have to always be happy (toxic positivity is blah). I write it more in hope - well, and surprise that I can write it at all. Keep on hoping, friends. Joyful surprises come in the most unexpected places, but not all the time. And, that’s ok. It does come though. (And, if you need more of that type of encouragement, I wrote several chapters of that in my book.)
I’ll see you next week, friends, for Neighbor Tuesday! And, just in time for election season in the US - so, we have a lot to talk about. =)
Happy September, everyone. I hope you know you are as important and rare on this earth as those rare dahlias. And, just as lovely.
-Emily
PS: Please enjoy this blurry picture of the flowers one more time. I’m a scientist, not a photographer. =)
Dr. Smith,
I so enjoy your emails and have learned so much from you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book, The Science of the Good Samaritan. What an eye opener. I am sorry you had so much difficulty during the dark days of covid. Amaizing the reaction of people supposedly who should know better. I don't know, very tragic times. As a nurse of 50 years [this year!] and a nurse practitioner of 30 plus, where can I help vaccinate people ? Any recommendations? I feel for the people in Africa. Keep up the good work.
Dodie Delaney, ANP