“It’s my birthday!” On the day that I turned seven years old, my dad entered the kitchen where I was having my breakfast. I gave him the brightest smile I could.
“Why are you so happy?” he asked (of course he knew!). This sixth month of the year has always been special to me. Besides my own birthday, it is also the birthday month of one of my daughters, her partner, and my deceased siblings, Marianne and Willy. My favourite aunt also celebrated her birthday this month. So many reasons to be happy!
To understand my excitement, I must explain that enjoying a birthday is very important in the Dutch culture. Entire families gather together to party whether it is for a child or an adult. There is always a special cake in the flavour the person has requested. Women receive many bouquets of flowers and cards as well as visits from friends and neighbours.
It is an anticipated special day. Food, and drinks, are available all day long and singing and laughter are always important parts of the festivities.
Fathers’ Day is the third Sunday of June and it has become a nostalgic day for the de Burger family as our father died on Fathers’ Day in 2007. I remember him often and reminisce about all the activities we enjoyed doing together.
Naturally, we happily celebrate the father of our children. He goes out of his way for our girls and grandchildren any time and I want to show him my appreciation for that and for his unconditional love for all of us.
June is also the month of transitions for many families. Graduations from elementary, high schools, universities and colleges, cause major changes in lifetimes for the graduates. Universities often take people far away from home to other cities. New friends, living conditions, values and ambitions are all factors encouraging the student to relocate, returning home only for special occasions and holidays.
Of course, the official beginning of summer occurs in June. The summer solstice usually falls on or about June 21. After that day, the days imperceptibly begin to shorten.
This sixth month promises the joy of summer which makes our hearts sing, so many exciting events and activities to anticipate in summer!
The Sudbury summer festivals begin, often at little or no cost. Music is presented at our beautiful Bell Park in June every Sunday evening for free. Just bring a lawn chair and enjoy the showcase of our fantastic home-grown talent. The musical notes wafting over Lake Ramsey bring joy to the people enjoying swimming and picnicking in the park.
Walking on the Ramsey Lake board walk after dinner is a favourite activity of ours and many others. We usually begin at Bell Park then walk at our own pace to Science North, stop in for a drink of water and return. We always meet people we know and stop for a friendly chat. The wonderful breezes coming from the lake send pleasurable cooling on hot days.
June is well-known to be the perfect month for weddings. Such joy, as we witness the rite of a young couple pledging themselves to each other. These occasions deliver enthusiastic celebrations invariably with flowers, festive cakes and of course numerous photos to memorialise the happy event.
June gives us brilliant days of sunshine and fun. Enjoy.
Erna de Burger Fex is a longtime columnist for the former Northern Life newspaper who still writes occasionally for Sudbury.com. She lives in Sudbury.