“Summer Lovin’” Summertime, just the word fills me with anticipation to this day. The slow mornings, leisurely days, and doing whatever pleases me is heavenly. As a child, it was the endless hours of playing outside in a safe environment. As a teen, it was hanging out with my friends while distracted by a Summer Love or budding relationship. Fast forward to becoming a young adult, summer is a chance to take a break from the hard work of college and recapture some of the joy found in younger years. Parenting brought an opportunity to do it all over again. I am a teacher; I still have that same sense of awe and wonder for summertime. We look forward to this time of year. We love our students, build close bonds, and become a little family. However, at the end of the day, teachers need an opportunity to recharge and relax after giving their all to their “children”. A few years ago a young boy came to me in tears; “I cannot stand thinking about the year being over.” I comforted him and told him summer holds endless opportunities for fun. He looked at me with eyes that broke my heart. He shook his head and told me I just did not understand. It was this very moment that I realized my classroom was possibly the safest place filled with fun for these children to grow and learn. I make it a point to fill every day with “Summertime Adventures” in learning to carry them through the year. You will see an octopus completely enamored with a flamingo presenting the best prawn in the sea as a love offering. Flamingo is most impressed. Nevertheless, I ask you to look deeper. Is this really love or a child crying out for help while they drown in despair all summer? When this piece sells, I will be donating a portion of my profit to Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection this summer.