Falling Stars- What summer should be.

With about 5 minutes of trolling on pinterest, facebook, etc you can find literal libraries worth of information on what to do with your kids during summer, how to do things with your kids during summer, why you should organize/teach/inspire/make more of your kids during summer.

 I know the majority of this information is meant to give inspiration and encouragement to parents but most of the time ( at least for me ) it is laced with a fair helping of guilt.  I am not saying we should not seize "teachable moments" ( what a silly term-- your actions are constantly teaching from the food you put in your mouth to the actions you take or don't take ) or that we , as parents shouldn't erect healthy boundaries.

But sometimes its good for them to be bored and outside with friends, sometimes its good for them to work hard at something that has no purpose other than imagination-- they aren't going to show it to you for approval or show it off for comparison.

I wrote this poem a long time ago remembering a friend. I hope you enjoy it.

Falling Stars

Rebecca had long black braids

her momma fixed

every summer morning

before she came over.

She was nine, me seven.

Her quick smile rescued me

from older brothers and TV boredom.

We crashed through driveways,

our bicycles

becoming rocket ships.

The wind whipped our hair

into victory flags

and tore our laughter

into cries of triumph.

Conquistadors,

in bright hand-me-downs

we claimed her backyard swing set

in the name of Spain.

We hunted the Great White Lion,

My slow-footed lazy cat,

Through the jungle of Mom’s tomato garden.

We spent the night outside

In Dad’s old green tent,

Reveling in the sweet musty smell

Of old canvas mixed with the summer night.

We made faces out of the moon,

Then went outside,

Spinning ourselves around holding hands

Until we threw ourselves

On the warm wet grass.

Laughing we looked up

And fell into the stars.