Summers in Ohio

Growing up in Japan, summers always meant Takyama, camps, going to the pool parks and lounging in the river pool. Kakigoris, ice cream treats, fans, a matsuri or two, all sleeping in the living room which was the one air conditioned room in the house (my sister just sent this great article on surviving the heat in Japan!). Even now, if I see, hear, or smell a particular thing, I am transported back to the good old summers in Japan.

For the first time since living in the States, I realized what makes a summer for me in America. I thought it was the grueling summer heat of South Carolina (but at least we have air conditioning), hearing the cicadas, and grilling. But no. In the beginning of July we went up to Ohio to see my sister and her family before they move out west. Maybe it was my first summer as a parent of a child who actually now enjoys various activities etc, or maybe that it was my first trip to Ohio in a while that didn't feel rushed. But as we enjoyed various experiences with Alex and the rest of my family, I finally felt like I was "at home" for a summer in America. We always returned to Ohio in the summer, usually to my grandparent's house and as we experienced culture shock and jet lag, we also enjoyed summer back in the states. It was the place where our family would always come back together after being separated by several states, oceans, time zones. And that is still what Ohio is to me. I think it was so fun this time seeing Alex experience some of the fun things that remind me of my childhood...

Family time:
Ohio Grass. (It is so much nicer than grass in South Carolina.) Grilling with the extended family. Sitting outside and chatting until it is too dark to see outside. Seeing big cousins play with the little cousins (once removed!). Desserts. Catching up on each other's lives.

Fireflies (or Lightening bugs):
Finally at this house in SC we have fireflies, but they are all over the place in Ohio and we had fun catching them.

Baths with cousins:
We have more pictures as kids of taking baths with our cousins when we were together for a couple of days. Of course that continues with our kiddos.

Baseball games:
Nothing says summer like a trip downtown to Cleveland for an Indians game. Of course, since we are not with my dad, we don't leave two innings early to avoid traffic! ;)

Kiddie Pool time:
grassy water, freezing cold. Because in Ohio 80 degrees is hot.

I am glad I figured out what Summer is in the States, and that I got to share that with Alex. As Will and I talked about summers on our {LONG} trip home, he commented on how his cousin's farm in Sumter represents summer to him. It is funny how we connect certain places and memories with the seasons. Summers are a wonderful thing. I am thankful for so many good memories.