Summer 2021 is here and the craziness of 2020 is becoming a distant memory. At times last summer, we lived in fear of the unknown. We may have grieved the loss of loved ones, or we may have faced financial or employment challenges. We may have wondered what was becoming of our world, and faced the regret of all that was taken from us. From family gatherings to parades to festivals to graduation parties, 2020 was a summer like no other when you measure what we lost. As you read this, I hope you are doing well.
This summer, I challenge you to embrace a summer of no regrets. We all know how life can turn on a dime. As for me, I plan to play whiffle ball in the back yard with our boys, spend time with family, and READ. My goal is to finish the 100 Book Club challenge that the library offers by Labor Day. I have forty-eight books to go as of this writing!
One of my favorite places in all the world is our front porch on Main Street. Shaded by leafy green Buckeye trees and maples, surrounded by hanging ferns and flowering plants, we like to lounge on the porch, books and iced tea in hand. The best time of the day is when evening falls – eventide. The town quiets down, fireflies begin their evening dance, and you can hear the gentle thwack of a screen door slamming somewhere down the street. I don’t need Vegas. I don’t need Paris or the beach. Give me my front porch, a good book, and some good company. In the end, 2020 reminded us what is important and how little we actually need to be happy.
This summer, I invite you to find your own happiness and encourage you to make the Dover Public Library a part of it. Our theme for our annual summer reading program is Super Heroes, Super Readers. We have reading challenges for kids, teens, and adults, and a variety of prizes and fun programs and activities along the way. See you on the front porch!
-Jim Gill, Library Director
Wonderfully written & so very true!!!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts . . . very meaningful