Dear Summer,
You’ve been coming in and out of my life for as long as I can remember, and regardless of what happened throughout the years, you’ve never really changed.
You used to be a time for me when I could take on the world at my own pace and conquer everything I simply didn’t have enough time for during the school year. In the past, I was able to step back and appreciate all of life’s little details, and celebrate everything I had. I was able to relax with my family and spend hours on end with friends. I could watch TV without guilt, and I was thrilled that I could actually read for fun. You were the few months of the year where I let myself unwind, and I was able to process everything that I learned and experienced. You were the time in my life that I vowed to always make as memorable as I could. After nine months of running around hectically, you were there so I could finally breathe.
Fast forward to now, and here we are again after my freshman year of college. Everything looks identical, but nothing is really the same. Summer, you have changed, and frankly, I don’t know how to take you.
Now, Summer, you’re meant for me to get ahead in school, and put extra work experience on my résumé. Those endless lazy days are just hazy memories, as you are now a time to get ahead and prepare me for the rest of my life. You are nothing more than a hotter version of the school year.
Does this mean I need to say "so long" to having innumerable chances to make everlasting memories and being able to take a step back and smell the roses? I hope you did not take off on me like that, Summer, I truly hope not. That’s what I loved most about you, and I can’t face the fact that we may have to say goodbye.
So what now? When do we get to stop and say, “I finally did it” and just relax? I can’t let that part of you go. That was the best part of you.
If, however, we must part, I realize that I won’t have a guaranteed time to just focus on life. Year after year, I have been working to get ready for the next grade ahead of me and waiting for the right time to appreciate what’s around me.
Truth is, there will never be a right time to just stop and take it all in, because life stops for no one. I’ve cherished the memories you’ve given me too much to so I can't give up on making lasting moments. It’s no longer about holding out until there’s nothing else left on my to-do list. It’s a matter of always making time to enjoy life before time runs out.
So Summer, thank you for sticking with me through all these years. Thank you for all you’ve shown me and for the good times I’ll always hold close. Most importantly, I say thank you for teaching me one of the most important lessons I’ll carry with me for years to come: life will never take a break, and all I can do is appreciate each moment as it comes.
With love,
Shanthi
