DEAR SUMMER 2024

All the signs are in the air. September is a week away, the days are getting shorter and the weather is cooling down. When you live in a city like New York the summer is a short lived gift from nature, if you don't seize the moment it will bypass you in the blink of an eye.

As a kid summer always started on the last day of school. What a feeling! It felt like freedom, happiness, joy and excitement all combined into one. Back then all I wanted to do was hang out and play with my friends all summer long. I can still remember what it felt like to have the innocence of a child. However, just like the summertime is short lived so is our innocence. It wasn't long before my summertime goals went from playing with my friends to, partying, meeting girls and being mischievous. The older I got the more my idea of a perfect summer kept evolving. The only thing that never changed was that the summer was the most amazing time to be alive.

Here I am now, a man in my mid 40's still in love with the season that put so many smiles on my face throughout my life. When Its over I still feel a sadness as if I'm saying goodbye to an old friend. I still wonder If I took full advantage and did all the things that I wanted to do or could've done. I start preparing myself mentally for the hustle and bustle of life to set back in. No more beach, more traffic, less sunlight and eventually all roads lead to sweaters, jackets, leafless trees and not a single flower in sight. However it's not all gloom and doom because after all, we are New Yorkers! We are designed to appreciate both the summer and winter seasons. But If you love the summer like me, a part of you will be longing for "the last day of school" to come back around again.

I will miss you summer of 2024. Thank you for all the beautiful memories. Thank you for the way you made me feel alive every time your sunshine kissed my skin. I hope I showed you how much I appreciate you with the way I spent my time. I am, have always been, and forever will be grateful to experience you.