Summer Feet

There are so many things that I love about Summertime in Oregon. The way that everyone bursts out of their homes the moment the thermometer breaks 65 to go on a walk, or a bike ride, or a quick match at the waterlogged tennis courts. The bustling walk down Front Street at the Wednesday Market with a $10 bundle of wildflowers cradled in my arms. Thehunt for the juiciest blackberries we can find on the abandoned road out our backdoor. 

Oh yeah, the sun.

But there’s one thing that I look forward to as early as February each year- one thing that I anticipate throughout the Spring. I would probably mark the days off on the calendar if it could be tracked or measured. See, my favorite thing about summer is warm cement.

Let me explain.

There comes a time around early July when the ground isn’t wet anymore. And beyond that, a few days of consistent sun have begun to warm the valley. This is where Summer truly starts for me. I slide off the cozy woolen socks that have kept me safe for 9 months, and I expose those pale Oregon toes to the golden rays. I let the warmth of the earth seep in from the bottoms of my feet until it turns my neutral expression into a beaming smile. Then I head out for my first barefoot walk around the neighborhood.

Those first few miles on Winter feet are always more painful than I remember. I wince and jump with an ill-timed step on a chunk of bark or an unforeseen patch of gravel. But after a few shoeless loops around the town- my soft and sheltered skin begins to adapt to theterrain. As August approaches, I forget about the rocks beneath my feet. My soles are rough and callused and able to go long lengths on that warm cement. I run and skip and stomp on the hard blacktop, and I hardly notice at all. And that’s when I know that my mission has been accomplished - I have finally earned my Summer feet.

A few years ago, on one of my promenades, I realized how fully this concept applied to my life. I often feel these same feelings in my day-to-day experiences but shrug them off in uneasiness. There are times in my life when I am learning new things or establishing new disciplines where I wince and jump at the discomfort of change. I try to hobble back home through the patch of gravel instead of letting it strengthen and fortify the change in me. And as I learn more about you and your stories, I am finding we have a bit of that in common. 

I’ve been talking with many of you about how celebration and joy are words that sound appealing. Still, when you try them on for size and take a spin in real life - they feel sharp and uncomfortable. Maybe this whole pursuit is a new one for you - so watching others cruise by at a comfortable pace while you struggle becomes frustrating. (Feeling inexperienced can be downright discouraging.) Or maybe this is something you used to be great at but find yourself in a place where you have to relearn the steps to walk confidently again. 

I find myself in one of those seasons where life feels kinda serious and hard. I have a genuine desire to be lighthearted and infuse connection and creativity into my life and thelives of those I love around me. But when I stand up and start to move, I stutter and plop back down on the couch. As I processed this with my husband the other night, he encouraged me to chill out, take off my shoes, wiggle my toes on the warm earth, and enjoy the walk - not literally, of course, but figuratively. “Let’s just go easy on ourselves and have some fun.” Seems obvious, right? But sometimes, when you’re feeling tender, and the ground feels far too rough, you just need a little nudge to keep going. 

So for this month, there is no interview to inspire, no random Holiday to celebrate, no recipes to perfect. We’re keeping things basic with a little barefoot breather. Here it is - just keep walking. You’re learning. You’re growing. Those soft souls are catching their stride. This issue is a simple Summer call back to the beginning. To remind you that a life of joy and celebration doesn’t come from throwing the best party on the block, or having an extensive list of fun friends, or keeping a perfectly stocked pantry for the just in cases. It comes from stripping away all the bells and whistles, connecting with the world around you, and loving who you’ve got with what you’ve got.

I’m stepping into August, ready for the memories that will come with my eyes open and my feet bare. And I invite you to come along with me. It might not be the most leisurely journey to take. You’ll probably be stretched and pushed, and it will be awkward at times, but it’s worth it. Seriously, come with me. Pack all the adventure you want, maybe a toothbrush and a good book to read, but don’t bother with the shoes. Or the socks, for that matter. Gravel roads beware: we’re not stopping until we earn our Summer feet.

Back to the Basics

Take a deep breath.

Put on some music.

Make some sun tea.

Take a barefoot walk.

Pick some berries.

Go easy on yourself and have some fun.