Summer’s Suitcase

by Nancy Casey

What’s in store for the summer ahead? Cold days in June, hot days in August? Outings and trips? Long evenings, new friends, a different home or job?

So many things can happen over the course of a summer. Are you ready?

Imagine that you can pack a suitcase that is chock-full of everything you will need during the coming summer. Make it a somewhat miraculous suitcase where things of any size fits and nothing is too heavy.

Of course there will be clothes and maybe a couple of toothbrushes. What else for your daily life? Food? Toys? Equipment? Books?

You can put ideas in the suitcase. Are there thoughts that you don’t want to slip from your mind in the coming season?

Perhaps you will want to add some habits. Those would be things that you do often without planning or even realizing you are doing them. Habits that make your life better are always good, so be sure to tuck a couple of new ones into a side pocket.

Attitudes could be handy in your summer suitcase. Just as you would pack sunscreen for the beach, you can pack the attitudes that you want to put on for different situations that will pop up over the summer. Are you going to need patience now and again? Or bursts of efficiency? Will you bring along curiosity, friendliness or black humor?

What skills belong in your suitcase? The ability to listen, hit a baseball, or survive 16-hour shifts? Will you need to swim, take good notes, or remember people’s names?

Finally, what can you pack to prepare for all the unexpected and difficult things (and people!) that are bound to crop up. Any special all-purpose tools?

Begin by writing, “In my summer suitcase I am packing…” and write down something that you would pack and what it would be useful for.

Start a new line that begins, “I will also pack…” and tell about another thing. When you have explained that one, start a new line and add something else to the suitcase. See how full you can make it.

When you have finished, give your work a title. Make sure the date is on it somewhere, too. Add decoration and color to the page as needed. Here is an example of what a person could write.

Share what you have written! Post it as a comment below. You can type in your work. Or post a picture of it.

Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. Sometimes she teaches writing classes at the Recovery Center. You can find more of her work here. If you would like her help with a writing project—resumes, letters, stories novels—email latahrecoverycenter@gmail.com for more information.