Share Four Somethings June 2021

Welcome back to Share Four Somethings, a monthly linkup I participate in with my friend Heather Gerwing at Living the Full Life.

My girls and I are in beautiful Michigan this week, enjoying a respite from the hot and humid Memphis summer. We’ve even had to pull out sweatshirts on a couple of evenings! It’s been so good to be with family and to be back home. But more on that to come.

Something Loved

Swimsuits are the bane of many women’s summer plans, but this year, I’m on my swimsuit game. I try to be smart and have two on hand that both fit well and make me feel good, and I managed to check that box this year with the help of a cheap Amazon suit and its opposite: Summersalt’s iconic Sidestroke suit. Summersalt’s ads feature women of all ages, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes, which is what caught my eye. After reading a few testimonials, I decided to see if the hype was valid. In my opinion, it is. I’m loving my new Colorblock Sidestroke. It’s comfortable, feels classy, and also protects the part of my chest that is always the most vulnerable to sunburn–bonus!

Something Read

I decided to break free from my normal reading schedule and take only fiction to Michigan. Years ago, I began reading Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series, and until two weeks ago, I was three books behind. That’s no longer the case. I’d nearly forgotten how much I enjoy the subtle humor of the characters’ discourse, the African flavor of both the setting and the language, and the moral compass of the inestimable Mma Ramotswe. I’m finishing up Book 19, The Colors of All the Cattle, with Book 20, To the Land of Long Lost Friends, up next. I’m thoroughly enjoying the break from my usual reading routine, and it’s reminding me that I need to read purely for enjoyment sometimes and not just for personal and spiritual growth.

Something Treasured

This week, I’m spending a few days at my aunt’s house in Detroit. Whenever we get the chance, which isn’t often, the women on this particular side of my family love to get together for a girls’ day or a weekend. During this trip, my other aunt, my cousin, and her daughter, who is the same age as my older daughter, came over for a day of sun, swimming, good food, and laughter. I enjoy these times so much, and we’ve stored up many memories over the years. I’m always thankful when we’re able to make time for a day or two of togetherness. It cements the bond between us all and helps us maintain the connection during the rest of the year when we’re mostly several states apart.

Something Ahead

Last month, I read Robin Jones Gunn’s book, Preparing Your Daughter for Womanhood, and I’m making plans to take my oldest daughter, who is about to turn nine, on a special overnight trip to celebrate her birthday and have some conversation about the years ahead. The changes that take place during the preteen and teen years can be tumultuous, and I love Gunn’s exhortation to approach the transition as a beautiful aspect of God’s creation and plans for us and, therefore, as something to celebrate and mark with joy. I definitely don’t want to wait too long to do this and miss the opportunity to set the stage in a positive and celebratory way. Many other cultures mark the passage to womanhood with celebration, and I think it’s certainly an opportunity to establish a foundation of confidence and self-love in a young girl.

What are you loving, reading, treasuring, and looking forward to this summer? I’d love to hear about it! Drop me a comment or a message on social media.

See you at the end of July for another round of Share Four Somethings!