18 May 2017 Editor’s Note June ’17: Creating summertime memories in the 501

Central Arkansas will soon welcome summer with picnics and family reunions, swimming and vacations.

When I was younger, I was one of those kids who loved nearly everything about school. Well, maybe not fractions.

Throughout my school experience in Texas, Washington and Arkansas, I was richly blessed with wonderful teachers who were great at their job as well as caring and compassionate. I also enjoyed time with my classmates, sometimes too much, which required a little re-direction (but nothing too serious). Mom did not struggle to wake me each weekday to get ready for school. With a bowl of cereal and an episode of “Captain Kangaroo,” I was on my way. I didn’t even mind the walk to and from campus, even though it seemed like the journey was miles and miles.

But come the end of May, I was ready for a break and the wonders of summertime. The sky seemed bright and the air seemed fresher when June rolled around. Unless I was at church, I spent most of June, July and August in bare feet. I loved the feeling of running through the cool grass, playing with my sisters and the other kids in the neighborhood. We spent most of the time outdoors, making up games to play and entertaining one another.

When I was younger, my family would make the trek during the summer from South Texas to South Louisiana to spend time with my grandparents. What fun! Grandma was quite the cook, and time spent with aunts, uncles and cousins was fun.

My grandparents were very active in the nearby Baptist church. Grandpa sang in the choir on Sunday mornings and Grandma was oftentimes my Vacation Bible School teacher. I loved the Bible stories and the crafts. The refreshments weren’t too bad either. I have such sweet memories of getting to spend time with these two special people each summer.

Grandma and Grandpa are now gone but will never be forgotten, especially when it’s summertime again.

As we enter this special time of year, we encourage readers to take 501 LIFE along as you create those cherished memories of summer. Take a photo with the magazine and send it to us to share with our readers in a future edition.

Here’s to “Loving LIFE,” creating memories and celebrating summer in the 501.