That's what I tried to think of during the heat this last Summer Tuesday. I thought of May when Jack Frost overstayed his welcome with one last hoorah of snow. Somehow that thought kept me from saying our good ol' Minnesotan phrase, "Hot enough for ya?" (let's be honest, I probably still said it).
Yet, even with the extreme heat, every familiar face that I saw at Summer Tuesdays came with open arms and a welcomed hug...even though I was dripping with sweat, and each hug-recipient left with a little "Eau-de-Erin."
But my experience wasn't unique. I looked around and saw people connecting. Many people who live in the community and attend events like Summer Tuesdays and upon seeing so-and-so talking to so-and-so, they realize what a small, wonderful world it is, and Summer Tuesdays is a place where these warm (literally and figuratively) connections can happen.
But what really touched my heart was at the end of the night, when two of us were cleaning up the park at midnight, finding each and every wrapper, a family was looking for a lost cellphone. In the midst of their search, they stopped and asked us if there was anything else they could do to help US. They didn't know us, nor we them, but our connection was solidified right then, because of this event.
(side note: if anyone found a lost cell phone, please bring it next week and give to the Summer Tuesdays booth).
So it is because of the warmth of the community, I'm looking forward to next week where we will hear Harmonic Relief, followed by The Hounds of Finn and then the movie that eluded us last year, "Toy Story."
Now here's a fun, easy way to get a free pop or popcorn: Every person seen with a stuffed animal for the movie gets a coupon! BUT - make sure the stuffed animal makes it home with you and doesn't go into purgatory with the lost cell phone of last week.
