Enlightened By a Broken Air Conditioner

My porch awaits! Photo by author

It’s official. Today, Friday, June 20, is the first day of summer. It is also the Summer Solstice, the day with the longest stretch of sunlight all year. Woohoo … Let there be light!

This is also going to be an extra steamy weekend in Chicago and throughout the country. Heat warnings have gone out in my city, as the temps will be nearing 100 degrees and the humidity will be quite high. With three dogs in my house and a heat index of 107 outside, the timing for my AC to have gone out is less than ideal.

Look Toward the Light

There is so much going on in the world. With all of the pain, suffering, violence and hatred, it feels wrong to whine that my air conditioning unit isn’t functioning. However, everything is relative, and this 85-degree indoor temp is giving me an opportunity to reflect, to breathe deeply and to tap into my optimism.

The technicians just left, and we’re waiting on a response from my home warranty company (yes, that is why this process is so drawn out and tedious). So, now it’s time to embrace the heat. It’s time to feel fortunate that most days of the year, I actually do have a home that is as warm or as cool as I desire.

Maybe this is an opportunity to dive into nostalgia — to sit on my screened-in porch and recall some of my very best childhood memories. I remember countless summer nights in which my dad and my sisters slept on our porch, enjoying the breeze and the time together — time together I had no idea would be so fleeting and cut so tragically short.

I don’t remember minding the heat at all then. As a teen, I just remember quality family time. A chess game was played, jokes were told, dogs were by our feet, mom was cleaning up dinner and those of us on the porch were close to the stars.

Those nights will always be treasured. I haven’t seen my dad since he unexpectedly died at the age of 52 … almost 33 years ago.

What I wouldn’t do to be sweating on a porch, philosophizing about life with him right now. What I wouldn’t do to challenge him to one more game of chess. What I wouldn’t do to simply hear his voice, as we managed the heat by embracing summer’s warmth.

Fatherly Advice Through Instagram?

I miss my dad’s advice. To teenage me, he was omniscient. His wealth of knowledge seemed infinite. There was never an opportunity to learn that I missed in his presence. To say I asked endless questions is an understatement.

I imagine that he has enjoyed these past few decades of peace and tranquility, although I know he would have chosen a life full of noise and chaos if it meant having the privilege of meeting even just one grandchild. I know he would have chosen the privilege of being overheated on just one more hot summer night.

Ironically, I just stumbled upon another wise man’s words of advice. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect — so perfect that it reminds me of our ongoing relationships with those we have lost. It reminds me of the power of the universe.

Dr. Zach Bush is is a well-known physician who is passionate about educating others about human genomics, gut/brain health and the power of our planet, among other topics. His presence on social media enables me to regularly get quick bits of information and inspiration about healthy living focused on the intelligence of nature.

Just as I was feeling a bit weak and unmotivated in my hot house this afternoon, I came across Dr. Bush’s Instagram post about the Summer Solstice. One of the thoughts he expressed was how we are all connected by the nature that surrounds us. He speaks of “an innate web between all humans.”

I always hang on his words, absorbing not only the beauty of his writing but the powerful wisdom therein. His message today landed on my mind and quickly darted its way into my heart. He spoke of honoring today’s light — light for which I am so grateful.

He also reinforced that nostalgic screen-porch memory I was having with his impactful words:

I needed to feel intertwined. I wanted to feel re-connected to the universe, to the Earth and to those I have lost. Thanks to Dr. Bush, I am now going to revel in the steamy Summer Solstice, in my very warm house and in all of the beautiful light-induced heat this day and night will bring.

I am going to absorb the light, be the light and emit more light. I am going to sit on my porch as beads of sweat remind me that I am still here. That we are all here. That all who once were here gazed upon the same sky — experienced days of great heat.

In a way, my broken cooling system is yet another gift — another reminder of our infinite connection with one another, with our planet (even when Mother Nature is running hot!) and with those who danced on this planet before us.

Maybe I’ll bring a portable chess set out to the porch tonight and challenge my guy to a match. After I hopefully win, I will then lean my head on his shoulder, embrace the heat, look to the stars and remember that nothing is ever truly gone.