A New Season of Summers
Tiny gold sparkles cascaded across the night like a glittering waterfall thrown from the clouds. Bright bursts of red, green, and white followed as the gold faded into darkness. With every bang and pop, the sky felt alive.
Canada’s 150th birthday celebration was in full swing.
The soundtrack shifted subtly, and as “O Canada” rose through the crowd, my gaze caught something drifting above the crowd —
A single pink balloon.
It rose lazily with the breeze, higher and higher, outlined by the fireworks behind it. Amid the dazzling display, that small balloon stole my breath. It felt symbolic: light and carefree, the perfect punctuation to a joyful holiday weekend.
For me personally, that balloon marked the beginning of a new chapter of summers. Although I’ve lived in Canada since my wedding nearly three decades ago, this was the first time I truly celebrated Canada Day as an attendee rather than someone consumed by summer work.
For twenty-seven years, our summers were defined by camp life. Canada Day meant the launch of our most hectic eight weeks: campers arriving, meals being prepared, grounds being mowed, boats readied for the lake, first-aid kits stocked, counselors reassuring nervous parents, buses loading, registrations completed, campfires starting, songs filling the night air, and stories shared by lantern light.
We planned for camp year-round. Time was counted in camp weeks; free moments were rare and precious. It was exhausting and deeply rewarding in equal measure. That relentless pace is hard to explain unless you’ve stood in the shoes of summer camp staff.
Now, however, we’ve stepped into a new rhythm. It’s a quieter pace, filled with the gentle pleasures of an ordinary summer: slow mornings, time to read on a porch, and the freedom to watch sunsets without worrying about next-day arrivals. We’ve found joy in this new “normal.”
As rainy spring days gave way to long, sunny summer afternoons, we embraced a fresh perspective. We’ve celebrated weddings, taken slow walks along the beach, sat on a bench while the sun melted into the horizon, and—yes—watched fireworks from a relaxed vantage point.
We are grateful for all the cherished memories of past summers at camp. Though a piece of our hearts remains at the camp—our son is serving there this season—we are enjoying this new chapter. It feels like a season of firsts, filled with fresh experiences and small celebrations.
One big “first” for us is planning our very first summer vacation away from camp responsibilities. We’re headed to the Oregon Coast and are excited for slow coastal days, scenic drives, and time to recharge. If you have suggestions for must-see spots along that coast, I’d love to hear them.
We’re having fun rediscovering what summer can be when it’s not measured by checklists and schedules. This season is a reminder that life changes, and those shifts can bring new freedoms, new joys, and unexpected moments of peace.
PS: If you know anyone serving at a summer camp, send them an extra hug, offer a word of encouragement, or keep them in your prayers. Camp staff work incredibly hard and truly appreciate support.
Source of all photos in this post
PPS: I’d love to know what you’re doing this summer. I started a new Instagram hashtag called #anewseasonofsummers — feel free to join in and share your own summer moments.
(Technically, last summer was our first away from camp, but it passed in a blur while we searched for a new place to live.)