It was a perfect day. Best day of the summer. We had a fabulous day.
These are common statements I have heard recently from friends who have been enjoying our warmer, longer, lazy summer days.
So what makes a perfect day?
Is it the company we enjoy, the activities, the location, being by water, on a mountain top, the weather, food, music? What would be your perfect day?
Would I choose to spend it with family alone, family with friends, friends or even alone?
Would I sleep to noon, would I, could I sleep to noon? Would I spend it with a book, curled up nicely in a nook. Would I spend it with my darling and my sons on the water, playing, feasting, having fun.
I would want to laugh until I cried and smeared all my mascara and used a box of Kleenex to dry my tears, do some physical activities that made my muscles work hard, and to find time to read. At the end of the day to fall into bed exhausted with that feeling of contentment I get when I feel all is right in my world.
A perfect day would be a day where all my senses got a workout. My sense of sight enjoying the beauty of a smile, the light on the water, the hillsides, the ahs that our Canadian landscape provide. The sense of sound as I enjoy the birds singing, laughter, a kayak blade dipping into the lake, the crackle of my foot against the leafy path in the woods, a favourite song, children’s voices, a story told around the campfire.
I would enjoy the smells of my garden or better yet my neighbours, the delightful aroma of great dishes being prepared, the smell of barbecue that seems to waft through the neighbourhood on the weekend, fresh mint, and basil, a tomato grown in the garden, suntan lotion which triggers the memories of lazy beach days, the smell of birch crackling in the campfire, fresh coffee brewed.
I would touch the earth and feel the cool dirt as I weeded, or rearranged the plants in my garden. The touch of my darling’s strong hand in mine, the feel of a kiss on the cheek from my son. The softness of a towel to dry me from my swim in the cool lake waters.
During the day I would enjoy meals or snacks where my tastebuds danced with pleasure. Fresh vegetables, a crunchy sweet apple, a cup of mint tea, my evening meal prepared to perfection with herbs from the garden, a glass of merlot.
My perfect day would be a carefree day where I would be in a bubble away from the busy demands of daily living, where we could be spontaneous, playful and together.
Today could be that day.
Michele Blais is a longtime columnist for The Morning Star, writing on a variety of topics, and appearing every other Sunday.
