Eternal Summer

Eternal Summer

As I’ve gotten older, my view of summer has changed.

As a kid, nothing beat it. No school. Long days spent swimming, running barefoot in the backyard, chasing fireflies, hanging out with friends, going on vacation. Summer was freedom — pure, uncomplicated joy.

But as an adult — and especially as a parent — summer is different. There’s a built-in nostalgia from our own childhoods, an expectation that summer should still feel like magic. But in reality, it often feels like chaos.

The schedule goes out the window. Routines disappear. You’re trying to pack in as much as possible — trips, adventures, memories, rest — but without any of the structure that usually helps you get things done. The effort to make summer live up to its old glory can leave you feeling overwhelmed, even a little disillusioned.

Living in the Northeast, we’re very aware of the seasons. Each one has its own rhythm, its own blessings. And honestly, I’ve come to appreciate the seasons beyond summer. I know — that’s sacrilegious! You’re not supposed to wish summer away! But here’s the thing: no season, not even summer, can live up to the weight of our expectations. And maybe it’s not supposed to.

The spiritual life is a lot like that. We have high moments — consolations, joy, beauty, peace. The spiritual equivalent of a beach day with your family when the breeze is perfect and you think, I hope this never ends. But it does end. And in some sense, it has to.

Because we aren’t meant to hold on too tightly to this world — not even its most beautiful parts. The spiritual journey is one of constant movement toward something more. It’s not about chasing emotional highs or clinging to perfect moments. It’s about living each one fully, with gratitude, while knowing there is a day — an eternal day — when the joy we taste now will be fulfilled completely. In a way, we are heading toward an eternal summer. One that doesn’t fade. One that holds the beauty of every fleeting moment we’ve ever cherished.