A Summer Prayer

Balzan church celebrating the feast of the Annunciation this weekend

Heavenly Father, you know that I don’t like summer – the hot climate, sticky conditions, sweating all the time, long unending days, too many people crowding around, unnecessary noise, buzzing and biting mosquitoes and other annoyances. But this year I decided to look at the good side of summer. First and foremost the abundance of juicy fruit, like peaches, strawberries, watermelon, and grapes. Eating fresh salads with crisp lettuce, cucumber, meaty tomatoes and olives and capers. Hearing the ripples of waves near the seashore, seeing people wearing flip-flops and sandals, walking barefoot on the soft sand, taking a stroll on a rare cool evening by the sea. Hanging out in an air-conditioned room, dozing off to some nice relaxing music, attending an open-air concert, eating a delicious ice-cream. Visiting friends you haven’t seen in a while, talking to friends who don’t seem to be in a rush, taking a siesta in the afternoon, less traffic on the roads. And last but not least, the celebrations held in each parish with richly decorated churches, festive decorative banners, statues, fireworks and marching bands.