A Golden Summer Evening

Summer is usually not my favorite time of year. Chalk it up to too many neverending Texas summers growing up as a girl. (I love my Texas, but the summertime there? Not so much.) Most of the time, especially on the hottest days, you'll find me hiding out in the air-conditioning and figuring how many days until Autumn gets here. But, I have to say, this summer has charmed me. I have really enjoyed the sights and sounds of summer. I have enjoyed the people and the parties. I've loved working outside as we try to put our little property in apple-pie order. But, most of all -- I love these *long* summer evenings -- on my front porch!

There is still much hustle and bustle of summer, with kids home from school. There are no "lazy days of summer" for a mom. My summer evening porch time is the time I slow down, take a deep breath, all the way down to my toes, and count blessings.

One evening, I was doing just this, and I looked at the pine tree in the front yard. The sun was setting through it, and the light began to reflect off of the needles, making the tree turn to gold. Just a little thing, and it didn't last long -- but I would have missed it, if I hadn't been out there. I thought about how this must happen every single summer evening...how had I missed it in the 8 years I've lived here?

It was a wonderful reminder to me to slow down, and see the blessings and the beauty all around me...