Describe the best summer of your life
THE LONG WAIT
It was a time we all remember – the “lockdown.” Life basically came to a standstill and we all hunkered down at home in hopes of not catching COVID-19.
My mom was admitted into a nursing facility in Bismarck in January 2020. In April 2020, the facility went on “lockdown” and life changed. No more going inside to visit Mom and no more hugs.
As I tried to adjust to the new “rules,” we were able to call and FaceTime, along with “window visits,” where she was inside and I was outside. We talked on the phone, while seeing each other, which was a treat. But how I longed to give her the biggest hug!
On Jan. 26, 2021, I got an email from the facility with the best news! We were able to visit our loved ones and have physical contact.
Even though we were both wearing masks, our eyes said it all. We were full of tears and embracing each other like an eternity had passed us by. Happiness overflowed in my heart.
That spring and summer were the best I had in many years. I took advantage of the warm days, taking Mom for walks around the nursing home grounds. She could once again smell the fresh lilacs in bloom and feel the warmth of the sun on her soft and well-aged skin.
Time spent with loved ones is priceless. Take advantage of it while you can, as you never know what tomorrow may bring.
Gail Luithle
Capital Electric Cooperative
VISITING THE CITY
While working, I always went to Philadelphia to visit my daughter. That year, we had plans to visit New York City for two days.
We reserved a room in a hotel in the Theatre District, then explored the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ellis Island was the port for people coming into the United States from other countries, and my grandmother came to America when she was 5 years old, along with her parents and siblings. She always talked about the big ship that brought them to America.
We rode on a horse-drawn carriage, then asked the driver to take our picture in the carriage, which is a fine remembrance of our time in New York.
We walked to the area where the Twin Towers once stood, then we went to the Empire State Building’s top floor for a bird’s-eye view of the city.
With photos taken to record our memories, it was the best summer vacation ever.
Bernice Wanner
Roughrider Electric Cooperative
HAVING ADVENTURES
The best summer of my life was the summer of 2025, because of all the fun things my family did! One adventure was going to a lake cabin in Crosslake, Minnesota. We had bonfires every night on the trip, and jumped off the docks into the water about a million times. My favorite part about the trip was making so many family memories with each other.
Another special memory was the Mclean County Fair, where we went on rides, ate fair food and saw all the 4-H animals.
What is so nice about summer is spending time with family, being outside a lot and having fun.
Ellie Vetter, age 11
McLean Electric Cooperative
WEDDING VOWS
The best summer of my life is when I got married to my loving wife in June 1987. No other summer can top that.
Rodney Eberle
KEM Electric Cooperative
TIME WITH FAMILY
Our children were 18, 16 and 10 years old. On warm summer afternoons, we headed to the lake with the jetski. My husband and I sat in lawn chairs along the shore as we smiled and laughed, watching the kids enjoy their time on the jetski.
We listened to them laugh and holler as they had fun falling into the water from sharp turns. The afternoon slipped into the evening and they would come to shore to eat.
Time flies by. Today, we wish we had more days like those.
For those who have children still living at home, make the time to do things together as a family. Don’t let this time slip by!
Vickie Rudolph
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS
July: As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, what is North Dakota’s greatest contribution to the rest of the country?
Deadline for submission: June 11
August: How would you encourage young people to vote?
Deadline for submission: July 10
Published replies pay $25. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
