it was the evening of july 17th, just late enough so that the sky was a calming purpley-gray, and the grass had begun to dew. we had towels wrapped around our waists, hands clung to sticky red and green popsicles wrapped in paper towels. we sat in gray and white plastic lawn chairs, which were planted in a circle. we talked and laughed, licking and sucking on sweet popsicle juice. we had swam before, tackling one another off the diving board, or forming a “train” down the slide. we’d passed a ball back and forth, and dove for rings like little kids even though we were well into our teens. we were now surrounded by woods and green, green grass. the bright red barn sat up on the hill behind us. the house was beside us, it’s white wraparound porch filled with people of all ages who came to celebrate too. the pool was now still, the floaties bouncing off the edges softly. and the wind blew just right, drying off our wet bodies from swimming just earlier. the air was thick and warm. later we’d play kickball or football, or any kind of game with a ball out in the yard. and then we’d go inside, and shower off the dirt and chlorine and grass and bits of mulch, and put on clean clothes. and we’d sit in a circle again (we were fond of circles) and play cards, maybe trash or egyptian rat race. we laughed and laughed, we ate cake and drank juice or lemonade, and we had leftovers of pasta chicken on paper plates. and as soon as the the fun had started, it ended. we drove home as it started to pour rain, big heavy fat droplets splattering on the cement as we raced to the car. we slept on the lulling drive home, we were exhausted and happy. the children inside of us (who never really got to grow up) had been satisfied, and we had had a wonderful time. we had cousins coming in the next day, and the excitement was so overwhelming (yes, even as teenagers) that we slept so soundly on the way home. it had been a wonderful night, and we were on our way home.

that night was one of my favorite nights. i look back on it and think about the sky being SUCH a purple color or the way the grass bits stuck to your feet when you walked. and i loved every minute of it. the feeling it gave me was such a memorable one, maybe it gave me clarity. that id be okay. or maybe it made me calm for a minute, knowing that all was well just then. either way, i’d never forget that night.