The stars in the sky.

"It turned colder; that's where it ends
So I told her we'd still be friends
Then we made our true love vow
Wonder what she's doin' now
Summer dreams ripped at the seams
But, oh, those summer nights
Tell me more, tell me more."

Love that goes bad hurts. Period.

If you have been in love, the real kind, you know it brings about more emotions than you thought were possible. The highs, lows, and everything in-between—it lets you know you are human. 

This time of the year, it seems "summer loves" are in full bloom; yes, sort of similar to Danny and Sandy in "Grease," but I'm talking about the kind that doesn't end with a dance or kiss on the sand—it lives forever in your heart. I know it well and am happy I do…it's incredible.

More than just my wife and kids, although they are most certainly stored smack dab in the middle of my heart, it's the memories that make this time of the year part of who I am today. The feelings, stored images, and emotions make summer the season I love.

It probably began when I was young, and we as a family, would go on road trips to Florida; if my parents decided it was not the year to go there, we would visit my Dad's family in Iowa. Yes, that's a big difference…however, I remember Iowa as well as I do Florida.

Really?

Yes, really.

My Dad was born in Monroe, Iowa. About 12 miles from Pella,IA and 40 or so from Des Moines. His cousins lived in Colfax, a small community to the east of Des Moines. Enough with the geography, this town has molded, in part, who I am today. 

When we would visit, we would usually stay in a hotel outside of town—it was the town where they made Maytag appliances. Pretty much the same hotel each time, and I guess because we had stayed there previously, one year my Dad's name was on the outside board for all to see…"Welcome, Si Rosenbaum." WOW.

My Dad's family was involved in several of the local businesses in Colfax and for some reason, they all had a connection in a weird way. They owned a "scrap yard" (IE. Junk Yard of the olden days), a car dealership, and a car wash. So, if you bought a car, had it washed and then watched it grow old…it went from the dealership, to the car wash, to the scrap yard. Not too shabby—and it had a circle of life.

One memory, and I know my brother and sister will say, "How do you remember these things?" was the "retail establishment" that was not only a jewelry store but also the local sporting goods shop. I have no idea how this happened…I guess it was perfect for women who were looking for jewelry who dragged their boyfriends/husbands along. One summer, when we arrived, we learned the grocery store had burnt down; for someone who loved to eat, and it showed, this was a real tragedy!

It was probably in Colfax where I saw and experienced the concept of "love." Not for me, I was too young, but for the teenagers who lived in the community. They would hang out at the Dairy Queen (not sure if it was a true, "Dairy Queen" but similar) and witnessed how the summer played a huge role in their lives. Holding hands, preening for each other, and the occasional story about how so and so kissed. Whoa. 

Then things changed. The kids grew older, went to college, and some were drafted into the Vietnam war—during this time, America went from being innocent to suspicious. I miss the days that lead up to these changes..as it pretty much ended the family trips to this community. I have been back when I travel to Iowa on business, but no one from the family lives there any longer. The grocery store is gone as is the jewelry/sporting goods store; but there's one thing that still lives…the memories.

The photo above was taken several weeks ago at the Morton Arboretum outside Chicago. Just like the star in the sky, it's really the sun by the way, summer has provided the path way to who I am today—regardless if Danny and Sandy happen to show up.

Thanks for stopping by.