the journey to hiraeth

Lately, I’ve found myself enjoying aspects of summer more than usual, which is quite surprising. Being very pregnant, I always hear about how miserable the heat can be during pregnancy. Typically, I don’t enjoy hot weather as I overheat easily. Yet this year, I find myself fully embracing all things summer.

Relishing the Simple Joys

One of my newfound joys is having the windows open. The relief when a breeze picks up and flows through the house is indescribable. I love the idea of planning future trips with my kids to the beach and the park. There’s a certain magic in imagining the laughter, the sandcastles, and the picnics that lie ahead.

A Day Filled with Nostalgia

Yesterday, we visited my grandma’s house. She had a little kiddie pool set up for my son and a table arranged with a sandwich bar for us to enjoy. Popsicles and cold water bottles were at the ready. This gesture took me back to my childhood summers. Growing up, my grandma watched us while our parents worked. Those summers were filled with days just like this one – simple, joyful, and carefree.

Creating New Memories

As I watched my son play in the kiddie pool, a wave of nostalgia and gratitude washed over me. I realized that he now gets to experience the same type of summer fun I did. This might be why I’m embracing this season so fully. There’s a profound joy in creating memories that will someday bring nostalgia to my children.

The Beauty of Tradition

There’s something incredibly heartwarming about continuing family traditions. The same kiddie pool, the same sandwich bar, the same laughter – it all ties together the past and the present in a beautiful tapestry of love and continuity.

Looking Forward

I look forward to more days like this, filled with simple pleasures and shared joy. Summer, with its warmth and brightness, offers the perfect backdrop for creating these lasting memories. Despite the heat, I’m filled with a sense of peace and contentment.

In embracing this summer, I’ve discovered that it’s not just about enduring the heat but about finding the beauty and joy within it. It’s about creating a legacy of love and happy memories for my children, just as my grandma did for me. And that, I believe, is the true essence of summer.