Years ago, I received a voicemail from my local cobbler informing me that my shoes were ready for pick-up. The message was perfunctory, left by the shop owner, who was usually grumpy and sounded just like his usual self. However, instead of ending with a typical farewell like “OK, bye” or “have a good day,” he signed off with “Enjoy your time.” I found this to be both strange and delightful, with a hint of menace. Could he have been implying that I didn’t have much time left? It was probably just his quirky way of saying goodbye. Nevertheless, I began repeating this phrase to myself as a mantra. It’s true, we never truly know how much time we have, so why not enjoy it? “Enjoy your day” is a finite wish, while “enjoy your life” seems like a farewell forever. But “enjoy your time” is more expansive. I interpret it as a reminder to cherish whatever time lies ahead and not take it for granted.
Therefore, I have decided to plan a “Enjoy Your Time” summer. I recently asked you all what personal summer “brand” you would declare, and what this summer will be about for you. The responses I received provide glimpses into your current realities and dreams for the future. Many of you mentioned welcoming new babies, celebrating milestone birthdays, focusing on health and self-improvement, and finally returning to normal life. Here are a few examples of the responses I received. I hope they inspire you to think more creatively about the possibilities for your own summer:
1. Frosty Fridays: Taking my three kids to a different ice cream shop every Friday. – Pete Horvath, Chicago
2. Granolagrandma Summer: Gardening, reading books, solving crossword puzzles, and enjoying the sounds of nature on my patio. – Katherine Knight, Knoxville, Tenn.
3. Vasectomy Summer: Normalizing conversations about vasectomies while enjoying fear-free sex. – Annabeth Rodgers Faucher, Providence, R.I.
4. Summer of Proust: Working my way through “In Search of Lost Time.” – Jason Lloyd, Louisville, Ky.
5. Surprise Concert Summer: Dodging Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Instagram content to keep the concert a surprise. – Havi Carrillo-Klein, Cleveland
6. Grocery-growing Summer: Getting my hands dirty to eat clean by growing our own groceries. – Melinda Deas, Stonewall, La.
7. No-social Summer: Deleting all social media apps and living in the moment. – Morgan Gelfand, Portland, Maine
8. Ice Cream Summer: Setting up a freezer filled with ice cream bars and Popsicles on my porch for everyone to enjoy. – Janet Wallace, Atascadero, Calif.
9. Taking Charge Summer: Becoming more active in my own existence and no longer letting life just happen to me. – Charles Surette, New York City
10. Motorcycling on Rice and Beans Summer: Riding my motorcycle through Africa while keeping my finances healthy. – Sally Anne Greenwood, current location: Turkana, Kenya
11. Gazpacho Summer: Making more gazpacho and fewer enemies. – Lauren Oster, New York City
12. Barbiecore Summer: Embracing hot pink as high fashion. – Kelly Hoffman, Boston
13. Reading Summer: Committing to reading six to seven books a month, aiming for a total of 73 books this year as I turned 73 in May. – Alice Benson, Gaithersburg, Md.
14. Appalachian Trail Summer: Hiking the entire Appalachian Trail after quitting my job. – Sam McClintic, Mile 1,026, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
15. Fat Elvis Summer: Embracing a summer of indulgence and enjoyment. – Joe Toris, Akron, Ohio
16. Pitbull Song Summer: Creating a summer filled with ridiculous, lighthearted, and fun moments. – Camila Manjarres, New York City
These are just a few examples of the creative and inspiring summer plans you all shared. I hope they encourage you to think outside the box and embrace the possibilities of this season. Enjoy your time, and make the most of whatever moments lie ahead.
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