Why I love the month of July...

I love the month of July. Thinking of July brings many thoughts into my head. Some good, some not so good. All good when combined. It means to me hot, lazy days. Playing in sprinklers, lounging in a pool. It means steam on the pavement that is too hot to go barefoot on. It means an abundance of ripe fruit and good things from the garden. Hot kitchens and long days canning.  July means staying up late because it is still light out, longer days and nights so warm it is hard to sleep. July also means the 4th of July. Time to hang the grand 'ole flag and be proud to be an American, to live in the U.S.A! To honor the privilage of our freedom! To delight in the show of fireworks and play with sparklers and not to get burned. Yes, I love the month of July. It just seems so mellow and calm...
July is also a month steeped in sadness for me. My Fathers' birthday is July 1st yet he died on July 26th...sixteen years ago...and it still hurts. My Father loved July and the 4th of July. My Mother died less than a year later on the 4th of July. Yup! You read correctly. In the middle of a very hot month. She died on one of my favorite holidays. I don't think she got to pick the date. I don't think she wanted to.
I just want to say that I miss my parents every day. Fifteen and sixteen years later, I miss them.
Perhaps it is fitting that they would leave in the month that is ripe and warm...it doesn't seem so glum when I can watch the fireworks and enjoy the warm summer days.
I miss them.