Dear Summer

Dear Summer,

There’s something we need to clear up.

For as long as I can remember, you have been the highlight of my year. I think of you all through the colder months whist my nose is red and my teeth are chattering. To me, you mean outdoors, ocean breezes and the smell of bitumen cooling on stormy afternoons.

From the first lavender blooms on the Jacaranda trees, I await your arrival impatiently. Daydreams of days sailing on the ocean, cooling down in the crisp aquamarine water and holidaying with loved ones have me wishing you’d hurry up and get here. But, as quickly as you arrive, you go. Leaving me with an empty feeling as cardigans are fished out of the depths of the drawers in my wardrobe.

We do need to clear something up. Last year you really let me down. Like being stood up on a first date, I waited awkwardly but you never arrived. Instead of blue skies you brought gray and the Winter clobber was never far from reach.

How can we get past this? An extra effort this year is what is required. Some credit is owed on a mediocre season that we reluctantly called Summer last year. You still have some time to prepare. Please stay longer this year,