This morning at 6am, I found myself performing a modern urban ritual: the last-minute garbage run before pickup. As I dragged the bin to the curb, grumbling about the early hour, I caught a whiff of something unexpected. It was the unmistakable smell of summer.

For the first time this year, I didn’t just smell summer—I smelled green. I smelled happiness. I smelled freshness. Now, don’t get me wrong, summer in NYC often has a distinct aroma of spoiled milk and hot asphalt, which is far from poetic. But today was different. Today, I smelled something invigorating and new.

As I headed back inside, the scent lingered in the air, a sweet reminder of the joys of the season. It was as if the universe had decided to offer a reprieve from the usual olfactory offenses. Instead of the typical urban bouquet, there was a hint of blooming flowers, freshly cut grass, and that indescribable essence of hope.

Hope. It was on the horizon, and it smelled amazing. After a long, tumultuous year, this was the first tangible sign that better days were indeed on their way. I paused, took a deep breath, and let the scent fill my lungs and my spirit.

The city is often a sensory overload, but this morning, amidst the concrete and chaos, I found a moment of peace. It reminded me that even in the most unlikely places, we can find something beautiful and refreshing.

So here’s to summer smells that awaken our senses and lift our spirits. Here’s to the unexpected moments that bring a smile to our faces and a spring to our step. And here’s to hope, wafting through the air, reminding us that better times are coming. Hurray! About time!