Back when many of us were kids, summertime represented more than just a season; it carried a euphoric promise, the feeling of freedom, a step into the unknown, but you felt it was good. School was given a timeout, while “real” life lessons unfolded. A first job (caddying at age 12), a first kiss (of note), a first- and last- puff on a (regular) cigarette due to unseemly peer pressure.
And the music… indelible. Songs making a permanent mark in a good way. “Summertime, Summertime” by the Jamies, “Summertime” (Billy Stewart rolling his tongue!), “Summer In The City” (the Lovin’ Spoonful), “Summer” (War), “Summertime (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince- Will Smith himself!). And the anthemic, anarchic “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper- with its hints of teen rebellion: “Out for summer/ out ‘til fall/ We might not go back at all”. Ooh, those rebellious years!
We did go back to school, of course, just as kids do now. But following three years of uncertainty, quarantine, and complete disruption on many levels, perhaps summer, 2023, will allow us to reminisce about those hanabata days and nights when we gripped a freedom that lasted for about 90-days. We eagerly anticipated the arrival of these dog days, year after year.
Some summer incidents proved momentous, some summers featured plenty of “lazing on a sunny afternoon” (The Kinks). There’s a casual nature to summer you feel as a kid, less regimentation, relatively unorganized, fewer must-dos or must-dues. Social skills developed over summer evolved into new school friendships, relationships, and opportunities. First jobs that enhanced one’s concept of being responsible with a dash of accomplishment (I made my own money!). Dreams of what you just might wanna do later with your life…
Inevitably, adulthood arrives, and with it comes multiple responsi-bill-ities, obligations, commitments, seasonal stresses (no kiddie structure sans school in summer) and a redefined sense of world order (or lack thereof). We age, and sometimes pine for those languorous days as we lament the lack of time left- in summer, and perhaps in our lives. Summertime in adulthood rarely represents a clean break from routine, but perhaps still a time of pleasant diversion.
So soak in the sun, the serotonin boost, the sentiments and the substance of summer (with sunscreen). Watermelon, corn on the cob, shave ice, lemonade, “laughing all our cares away” (Chad & Jeremy)- it all tastes better in summertime.
Think about it…