Ray Bradbury’s short story “All Summer in a Day” takes place on Venus and at a school where the children eagerly await the one day that summer will occur. On Venus summer comes once every seven years for just a matter of hours. The rest of the time the weather is stormy, windy, and overcast. This day is especially important to young Margot. Margot’s family moved from Earth and are considering the costly and arduous process of returning to the third planet from the sun for fear of losing their daughter to heartbreak. Margot is small, pale, and all too lonely. ‘She was an old photograph dusted from an album, whitenedaway, and if she spoke at all her voice would be a ghost.” The school children tease and ostracize her for her homesickness and taunt her about the only artwork she creates, pictures of life back on Earth. (The other children have no memories of what life is like on Earth.)

As the time nears to go outside and enjoy the rare sunshine, plants, and warmth, the children think it funny to lock Margot in the closet. They do not intend to leave her there but forget the grief-stricken girl as soon as the first rays of sun appear.

In the end, the sunshine, flowers, and summer are gone, along with any hopes for Margot’s happiness on Venus.

This story breaks my heart just thinking about it. Bradbury creates the most enthralling imagery and emotion in his description and thoroughly wrecks my heart with his lesson of humanity and the need to show it to everyone (especially those in desperate need of a summer).

Most of us are in the midst of summer. A time for sunshine, fruitful plants, lightning bugs, green grass, bike riding, baseball, and swimming. I encourage you to take it all in. Don’t dedicate just a day or two to enjoying summer. Provide yourself time and energy to grow and celebrate the season as much as possible.

As you make you way through each day, be sure to point out the glory of the things around you. Include others in your fun. Make moments that add memorable value to the short sweet time we have together in the summer of 2017.

As for those in desperate need of an emotional “summer,” be sure to reach out. Deliver fresh garden veggies or share your favorite summer read. Invite them for a summer evening stroll or to tag along to a little league game. Start an impromptu game of cards or water balloon war. Being that one day of summer for them that can lead to a whole week or month of sunshine. 🙂

Don’t put all your summer in a day. Put summer in all of your days.

By: Melanie A. Peters

P.S. Thank you to my blogging friend Cindy at birdflight.blog for today’s inspiration.

Two quotes/tips for those having trouble producing creative juices