The Perfect Summer

 by Charlotte Bennardo

I don't know if there's a perfect summer, but there are great summers. 

This summer is one of them. 

I'm not going anywhere I've dreamed of, there are no momentous family milestones, I didn't win the lottery, and I don't have a new book deal (yet).

The reason this summer is so great is that we are being liberated from the pandemic- which allows us to go places, celebrate milestones with family and friends, and be with people again. Like almost everyone, I enjoy some alone time: to read, take care of myself, have peace and quiet, do things I want to do. But there's been too much of that with lockdowns and closed venues and general avoidance of people because of the pandemic. Nothing made me happier than getting the vaccine and counting the days until I could stop worrying so much. Now I can 'people.' My sons put it into perspective: "I love you Mom, but I'm sick of seeing you. I need to be with my friends." I wholeheartedly understand his sentiment- I love him, but I need to see & be with others too.

It feels like being with family and friends, going places, doing simple things like grocery shopping without masking and distancing is more exciting than it's ever been. Simple things now have the greatest pleasure.

So go out there, enjoy the things we never knew we'd miss so much. Relish every moment. It's going to be a great summer. 

Charlotte is the author of the middle grade trilogy, Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines, Simple Plans, Simple Lessons, and co-author of young adult books Blonde OPS, Sirenz, Sirenz Back in Fashion, and the Beware the Little White Rabbit and Scare Me to Sleep anthologies.