Monica Comas Novelist
Journalist
Avid Cook

 

Here We Are

It’s August, and I’m taking my time in appreciating the season…the way the sky softens then brightens early, how the sunlight lingers late into the evening. These are special days. The produce is abundant. Every piece of fruit is juicy. Tomatoes are plentiful (beyond plentiful!). It’s a hot, lazy time of year that invites us to slow down. To stroll.

 

To be honest, I’m not someone who bemoans the end of summer. And just to be clear, with my sister being an avowed summer-lover, and having married into a summer-loving family, I’m fully aware that mine isn’t the popular opinion here! Even so, I’m savoring these last, long days of August.

 

I’m lingering in Central Park’s Ramble, whose shaded paths meander through the woods. I’m letting the peach juice run down my chin—and devouring one perfect plum after another. I’m stopping even more to listen to the birds. I’m making fruit desserts with the season’s best berries. And I’m reveling in not having to don a heavy coat and boots before heading outside to walk our pup. Just being able to strap on his harness, slide my feet into a pair of flip flops, and dash out so he can see his puppy friends in the neighborhood is a delight.

 

Summer Memories

Each season carries its own sense of peace, its own special ease. Summer’s rhythm is sparkly. It holds a freedom and warmth that’s made for lingering, for making the moments last. And that lingering, that’s what begets the best memories, right?

 

I recall one year when we lived in Gates Mills, Ohio, going to Chagrin Falls with my mom, my sister, and my youngest niece. After walking around, going to the sweetest bookshop, the hardware store, the falls, and the popcorn shop, we strolled along the river and lingered on a bench. We took selfies, because of course we did.

 

I have photos of us, three generations, laughing, each picture more exuberant than the last. We were squinty-eyed with happiness. Our mouths were open in joyful, full-throated laughs. They’re some of my favorite summer photos.

 

They also mark the last time we ever got to go to Chagrin Falls together. Autumn wasn’t far away…and, unbeknownst to us, my mom was about to shed her mortal coil and embark upon her next great adventure.

 

But there on that bench in Chagrin Falls, the four of us lingered and made precious memories. We couldn’t have known all the whys behind the day’s importance or the poignancy…it simply felt organic to savor that moment.

 

Savoring it All

And so now, as we round summer’s last corner, I’m holding onto the loveliness of all my summers past as a reminder to let these days, really, every sweet second, unfurl slowly. May we all lean into these final moments of August…and truly savor summer’s last lazy stretch.