Finding Joy in June

Here in Georgia, people's complaints about the weather begin again in June. Oftentimes, temperatures flirt with 100 degrees which does not pair well with our high humidity. If I'm being honest, there have been years where rain is scarce, so the heat is just about unbearable some days. But other days, it's easy to enjoy the sun. Just like all the other months, June has so much to offer and enjoy.

As a kid, June was my favorite month because school was out, and my birthday month was finally here. Our family vacation usually fell that first week which was a great way to kick off the summer. I loved sleeping in, vacation Bible school, beach week, my birthday, & time outside. June was so easy to be happy in.

Summer is never the same once you graduate. No more sleeping in. No break from responsibility. No season of rest and sun time. Vacation weeks require time off work which can be stressful. The days on the calendar fly by. Summer just becomes like any other season.

I realized if I wasn't intentional about enjoying June, it would pass by like any other month. As an adult I began to pause and pay attention to the beauty around me in each day. Since Jack and I moved into our first home, I've loved working in my flower beds. My hard work last year has really paid off this year as I've seen plants return and flourish. Hydrangeas, hasta, lilies, zinnias, and ferns always make me think of June. My herbs are thriving. My Veronica keeps reblooming stronger and stronger. The wildflowers in the field are blooming. One day I would love to start a vegetable garden to keep me busy in the summertime.

The deer are active again and preparing to have babies. The sounds of summer - the birds, crickets, & frogs - fill the air. The sun hits the trees differently as it approaches summer solstice. Golden hour is much more than an hour. Dramatic storm clouds return with summer showers. Rainbows are easier to find.

Pay attention to the beauty in nature this time of year. Make a cold drink and sit on the porch in the evenings. Plan a weekend getaway if you can. Lay out in the sun. Summer is a time to rest and take things slow. Don't let it pass by too quickly!