Oh, Sun...Where are You?

This summer in Alaska reminds me of the Heehaw song... "Where, oh where, are you tonight? Why did you leave me here all along?" Or maybe it's Shakespeare's Romeo... "O Summer, Summer, wherefore art though Summer?" Nevertheless, aside from a few (three is the last count I've heard), the normal summer days of Alaska are lost. Just for the record, I love not having to deal with 100 degrees plus!

I thought about each of the FCNs this month as I went through the contact list. After passing the milestone of being here a year, there is no doubt that those of you I have met are simply awesome! If possible, I want to meet the rest of you next year. So, here's the plan. I will be touching base through a phone call to each of you over the next few months. I'm also planning trips to regional hubs so we can meet in person. The first stop is in MatSu Valley in mid-August and then I'll be in Homer in the beginning of September. For those of you who are not reachable by driving, we'll have to depend on the phone for now, but I have hopes of some travel in the distant future.

Let me just say, that in the absence of summer heat, the community we found here in Alaska is providing all the warmth for which we could ask. I leave this part of our newsletter with this thought...

The sun will come out Tomorrow, Bet your bottom dollar, That tomorrow, There'll be sun! 

Just thinking about Tomorrow, Clears away the cobwebs, And the sorrow, 'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck in a day, That's gray, And lonely, I just stick out my chin, And grin, And say, Oh...

The sun will come out Tomorrow, So ya gotta hang on, 'Til tomorrow, Come what may

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya Tomorrow! You're always a day away.  

June

June has always been an interesting month to me. Half spring and half summer, it contains the first month of summer break for school, warmth and lengthening sunlight, and often vacations. Depending on where you are located, it may even be hot! But not as hot as August...at least in my old stomping grounds of Texas.

Another thing June is often known for is weddings. I just returned from one. Our son and his bride have now embarked on a life together, blending a family of five children, two dogs, and two cats. Thank goodness for a great backyard and swimming pool!

Maybe June reminds me of all things human. We plant gardens and pull weeds. There is sweat and tears, and love and loss. It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. "There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance. There is a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to kiss, and a time to turn from kissing. There is a time to try to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." (New Life Version).

In this June time, make time to be human! We are blessed!