Sprinkler Jumping By Melissa Henderson

Melissa Henderson is a writer of inspirational messages. Her first book for children, “Licky the Lizard”, was released in 2018. She also has a story in the compilations “Heaven Sightings” and “Remembering Christmas.” Her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister. She and her husband, Alan, moved from Virginia to South Carolina to be near her son, daughter-in-law and first grandchild. The family motto is “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com

The lazy, hazy days of summer have arrived in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Temperatures have reached the upper 90s with a heat index reaching 113 degrees on some afternoons. Waking each morning, I open the window blinds and look outside. Humidity has already left a thick haze in the air. I wonder how people will stay cool in this stifling heat.

Neighborhood sprinklers have moistened the ground before daylight. Cicadas are singing. Frogs are croaking. No people are stirring yet. I close the blinds to keep in the cool from the air conditioner and hopefully keep out the heat of the morning.

Each day feels like a good day for finding ways to stay comfortable. Air Conditioners, handheld fans, ice-cold water, popsicles that have to be eaten before they melt, and finding a gentle breeze while resting in a hammock are some ideas to tackle the heat.

Even with community pools opening and having varied hours and restrictions, more families are staying in their own yards and enjoying fun with baby pools and sprinklers.

Laughter comes when Alan and I are riding in the car and we see adults sitting in the baby pools. A great idea! A big sized pool is not needed when you just need to beat the heat any way you can. Another fantastic way to stay cool when you don’t have a pool filled with cold water is to go “sprinkler jumping”. As a young girl, we didn’t have a pool. Daddy and Mama positioned the green garden hose between two bricks. Aiming the sprayer into the air and securing the lock position, I could run back and forth from one side of the sprinkler to the other.

The water shooting in the air refreshed me each time I jumped across the sprayer. Yes, the ground became muddy and my feet slipped a time or two. Landing on my backside, I laughed, stood up, and continued running and jumping back and forth across the homemade waterspout.

Today, I saw another family in the neighborhood bring out the baby pool and also set up a sprinkler. Soon afterward the backyard was prepared with beach umbrellas, towels, baby pool, and a garden hose. I heard the joyful sounds of young and not so young. Taking turns running and jumping across the sprinkler and in and out of the pool, I smiled knowing wonderful memories were being created.

God created a beautiful world filled with many blessings. How are you staying cool this summer? Have fun and share the joy.

Blessings, Melissa Henderson