Matthew Lyle Landsman

Early June. Sunset tonight is about a quarter till nine. Dawn came about five. It will be hot today.
I remember these days from when I was a kid. Glory days. Days when a guy could play until there was no play left in me.
Days when cartoons were not even considered in the morning. A kid would wander out in yesterday’s clothes, last night’s pillow styled and night sweated hair, and roll off on a bike with twenty inch spoked wheels, already five patches on the tubes, banana seat and handle bars set at an angle all your own.
Whether a kid went was off to explore on his own, or joining friends, one could be sure of a few things. A sunburn was in order, a few scrapes and a stubbed toe or two would happen, becoming ‘boy dirty’ (and likely stinkier) was inevitable, and that fun could and would be had for well over twelve glorious hours.
Moms would suggest you getting wet, either in a sprinkler, pool, stream, wherever. Lunch would be served outside, then you would be invited to go off and play until sleep was sure to find you in earnest that night…after a good bath.
The first days after school let out for summer were the sweetest. Till a kid started missing his buds from the classrooms. The summer crowd was different, and life was equally grand. You just had to diversify and go with whatever happened.
There are lots of great memories of the unbridled freedom of such late spring/early summer days. I miss them so.
But mostly I miss summers off, trips to the farm, new bikes, old bikes, growth spurts, a cowlick in my hair, having hair, and last but most certainly not least; my Momma.
And today I have over twelve hours of sunshine to remember it all.
And tonight I will take a bath, grow very sleepy, tuck away my pocket treasures, give thanks for the day…and remember when…and hope Momma might happen by later in the night and tuck me in…and then wash my dirty clothes while I sleep. Love you Momma, Matty.