a love letter to july

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

 My dearest July,

I realize that it is August 11, and my heart has moved on to love this beautiful month.  But I want you to know that you gave me some of the most incredible summer days that I have ever had the pleasure of living. 

Your slow mornings, your warm days and your beautiful evenings will always be remembered.  Did you know that you gave us time to put those new couches in our living room? (They look fabulous by the way.) And the full trees were cut to let more of your beautiful sunlight shine in through the old windows.  I scrubbed the cushions on our back patio furniture to make them look fresh and new.  I worked on my Lawrenson sweater knitting your sunlight into every stitch so that I will be reminded of your warmth come those cold evenings of winter.  Because of Covid-19 we didn't get to celebrate your 4th the same way we have in the past but you were warm and lovely just the same.  Our neighbor brought over fresh almond croissants and we filled our bellies while enjoying your sweet summer air.  

Your cool mornings alone at the pool are by far and away my favorite way to start a day.  July, please know that your weather is far and away the most special to me.  You were so wonderful to give us days for the men to work on building our lovely kitchen. (If only you could have made them work faster.) While I'm cooking and baking, in our new kitchen, I will think back to when the scraping and pounding filled most of your week days.  

You welcomed my girl home and then my oldest boy.  Their presence is welcome anytime, but you do know how to give us so much love and light!  Your sunshine gave the hydrangeas just enough warmth to blossom into a beautiful bounty of gorgeousness.  

Your days were there for us as we headed on a 16 hour road trip to the Florida sunshine and gave me the most glorious time alone with my children.  We so needed those lazy days just being together, getting sand on our feet and swimming in that beautiful ocean of water.  
Of course, I knit on everyone of your beautiful days.  I listened to my boy and his awesome music.  We had happy hours at the beach, and we swam as we watched the sunrise.  Remember the one day you shared with us as we spent it with my mother;  their grandmother. We kissed her all over her face like there wasn't a pandemic because Lord knows she would risk everything to feel our skin against hers.

I picked  a lot of basil that grew in your lovely light and tried to slow down the days with my boys and girl.  

I knew that our time together was coming to a close as I drove with my girl to Denver. We did this so that she, too, could move slowly into her next love, August.  She was so eager to meet August and start her new life as a school teacher.  I reminded her how we have to stay in the moment and live in the day we are given.  Time is fleeting and if we look too far in the future we will miss the glorious gifts that are in front of us. We stayed in that beautiful day having a picnic at Chessman Park filming aTikTok.  Oh how we laughed.
July, I was so happy that we weren't quite finished upon returning home. I had one more week with you as I drove to Lancaster and spent a couple of nights in a charming farmhouse.  And, to have one more day to watch Andrew play in his golf tournament.  Yep.  Grateful for that day, too.  We drove by corn fields and bought corn from a farmer who uses the honor system.  July, you are magical.  

I want you to know, July, that I care so deeply about you, still.  That you and I held something so precious that it will never fade and you will always occupy a place in my heart as well as my mind.  


With all the warmth and love I can give.

Leslie

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8 comments

  1. Ann8/12/2020

    You are just SO amazing! I think this is the loveliest blog post I ever read!! Thank you for sharing, you truly are an inspiration 💖 Lots of love ans kisses frm Ann

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    1. a friend to knit with8/14/2020

      Awe! Thank you Ann! I hope your July was LOVELY and cheers to August!
      Big hugs..xx, leslie

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  2. Cyndi Stephenson in Alabama8/13/2020

    Would love to see "before and after" pics of your new kitchen if you don't mind sharing! I'm about to begin a remodel/upgrade to mine! The little glimpses I see of your home look so beautiful! Thx for sharing your world and your love for knitting! Cyndi Stephenson - Florence, Al ccsteph221@gmail.com

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    1. a friend to knit with8/14/2020

      Hi Cyndi! I don't mind at all... I will definitely do a kitchen post soon! I'm excited for you to begin your kitchen journey! xx

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  3. Suzanne8/14/2020

    Aw, I can feel my heart welling up with the overflow of your joy.

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  4. Cindy8/16/2020

    This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing these great life moments, and inspiring me to reflect on the good memories of summer in spite of this year's many flaws.

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    1. a friend to knit with8/17/2020

      Awe, thank you Cindy. Yes... we always have to look for the silver lining. It's there. Hugs to you! xx

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