Here’s a quick bit of creative writing, entitled “The June Bug”, that I wrote a little while ago & thought I might as well share :’) Hope it’s enjoyable!
“The June Bug“
means sticky thighs, a sweaty upper lip, and hair clinging to the nape of my neck. It means accepting the fact that my t-shirts and dresses will be wrinkled and damp when I get up. The hot air meets me with a smack to the face the moment I open the door.
The June bug is: sitting at my abuela’s house—hot & a bit uncomfortable because the house that my grandfather built with his own two hands hasn’t had air conditioning for years—but laughing along at stories and speaking her love language, enjoying her company and the way that we talk about Jesus.
It’s also sitting at my Nana’s house: eating her food, watching an old movie with her, going swimming, having a burger that my tio barbecued for a snack between sunbathing & dips in the water, and taking a delicious nap because sun & swim cause a lovely drowsiness.
Getting up early to run whilst the air is still cool and the breeze still fresh. Spending time sunbathing and going between hatred boredom and enjoyment of it. Laying on my bed at all hours of the day, just because.
Reading, writing, and dreaming—at any time & any place—because I’m free and unconstrained. Sunflower, melody, sun. Joy invincible & peace indescribable because each passing day is a promise of what’s to come.
Gratitude even in the overbearing heat. Gratitude because it’s summer; all is well with the world, and the weather means nothing in comparison to the happiness bubbling up inside me.
Never before have I so gladly embraced the dry heat that defines California. Never before have I been so inclined to accept the fact that I’m going to get a fresh, new dress all damp and crumpled. And again, never before have I felt so at peace during this time.
Despite the fact that this summer will be unlike any other I’ve experienced before; regardless of the fact that I’ll miss what traditions I have held so dear, and aside from the growing reality that these comfortable seasons will change in a couple of years as my responsibilities grow, I have caught the June bug.
So, no. This summer might not “get better” as all my past summers have done, but I’ve caught the June bug. And that makes everything as swell as the surety of a rising wave that washes all over me.
That’s it!!! Hope you enjoyed this mind dump that I wrote one particularly sticky Sunday afternoon :’)