The other day, my 6-year-old looked at me and said, “Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to work in the summer?” I couldn’t agree more.
Summer has always felt a little magical—especially here in Vermont. The sunshine, endless daylight, creemees, lake days, and outdoor adventures seem to make everything feel a bit lighter and more carefree. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from summer: staying up late, swimming in the neighbor’s pool, eating grilled hot dogs for dinner, and taking family trips to Ogunquit, Maine, where I spent hours boogie boarding in the frigid ocean.
Now, as a parent, I find myself trying to fit every bit of summer magic into what often feels like Vermont’s shortest season. We’ve already kicked off our Monday Branbury cookouts with friends, enjoyed at least three creemees, eaten more hot dogs than I care to count this early in June, and gone through countless popsicles. Our annual trip to Maine is booked, and the calendar is quickly filling with all the little traditions that make this time of year so special.
Summer is never quite long enough. Even though most days still include work, I’m determined to squeeze every drop out of the season. If you need me over the next few months, I’ll be swimming, trying to catch fireflies, convincing myself that a creemee counts as a balanced snack (or even dinner), and pretending that the pile of sandy towels by the door is a sign of a life well lived. Before we know it, we’ll be hunting for backpacks and wondering where summer went. So, for now, I’m saying yes to the extra popsicle, the later bedtime, and one more trip to Lake Dunmore.
-Monica Benjamin is a nurse practitioner at Porter Pediatrics in Middlebury.