For you, Winter.

Inspired by my past self who longed for Summer.

In the winter I’ll forget about the smothering heat when I open the black interior car. I’ll forget the extra steps added to our morning routine: the sunscreen, the bug spray, the right amount of ice in the water bottle. I’ll forget about the search for the sunhat that is never where I left it. I’ll forget about the way my shirt retains the lingering odor of hot humid heat.

In the winter I’ll forget that we had to stand melting on the sidewalk in the sun while we waited for the car to cool down.

In the winter, when I declare, “I hate living in Missouri!” because it’s too cold to go outside, I’ll forget that in the summer, my hair frizzed horizontally and that the metal tips of the car seat buckle burned when they touched my skin.

In the winter, I’ll forget about the after school granola bars that melted all over me, all over the girls and all over my pockets.

In the winter, I’ll forget about the damp swimsuits and forgotten swim diaper I left in the van after our trip to the pool.

In the winter, someone please tell me that I’ll miss this.

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Scenes of Summer So Far: