A Timeless Season of Wonder

For many of us, summer is a season that evokes memories of carefree days, sun-kissed beaches, and laughter-filled nights. It’s a time when the world seems to slow down, and the simple joys of life become the most cherished experiences. As I reflect on my own childhood summers, I’m reminded of the countless hours spent playing in the waves, building sandcastles, and watching the sunset over the ocean.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

My earliest memories of summer date back to when I was 10 years old, spending a month on Cape Cod with my family. Our cottage was a cozy, well-loved home with a screened-in porch and sand-embedded floorboards. We’d spend our days at the beach, taking outdoor showers, and feasting on fresh corn and juicy tomatoes from the local farm stand. Many evenings were spent getting soft-serve ice cream and playing miniature golf, where my siblings and I were allowed one mulligan per game.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

One summer, my father took me and my siblings on a midnight walk to the beach, where we gazed at the stars twinkling above. Another night, he gathered us around the dining room table, lit candles, and we played a game of midnight Uno. Those summers and the handful that followed are etched in my memory as the most idyllic times of my life.

Source: media.cntraveler.com

As I grew older, I began to appreciate the diverse summer traditions that exist across America. From the baseball games and lake dives of Cooperstown, New York, to the cherry stands and alfresco dinners of Traverse City, Michigan, each region has its unique charm. Even in the city, summer is a time for softball games in Central Park, café tables lining the sidewalks, and rooftop bars serving Aperol spritzes.

Whether it’s camping in Sequoia National Park, visiting Disney World, or hosting a backyard cookout with burgers and Popsicles, summer is a season that brings people together. It’s a time for adventure, relaxation, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

As the old Gershwin tune goes, ‘Summertime and the livin’ is easy.’ Indeed, it was easy to feel that way during those long-ago summers on the Cape, with sunburned shoulders and sand in my sheets. But what I’ve learned in the decades since is that summer is also fleeting. The morning we packed up our station wagon to leave the Cape and head back to our real lives, I started to cry: Please, can’t we stay? My father put his arm around my shoulder and whispered in my ear, ‘The reason summertime is special is because it always ends.’

Those words have stayed with me ever since, a poignant reminder of the bittersweet nature of summer. Yet, even as we know that the season will eventually come to a close, we can’t help but cherish the memories we make during those warm, sun-kissed months.

As a novelist who’s written 23 novels set on the golden beaches of Nantucket, I’ve had the privilege of exploring the many facets of summer. But it’s not just about the place; it’s about the people, the traditions, and the experiences that make each summer unique. Whether you’re a beach lover, a city dweller, or an adventurer at heart, there’s something for everyone in the American summer.

So, as we embark on this summer season, let’s make the most of it. Let’s create memories, try new things, and savor the simple joys of life. For in the end, it’s not just about the season; it’s about the people we share it with and the experiences we have along the way.