Summer Stories & Streaming

Summer is a funny time of year. We spend all year going hard, grinding through our routines. But then summer arrives, and it feels like an odd, transitional period sandwiched between the rest of the year. For those tied to a school schedule—teachers, substitute teachers, administrators, and students—we work from September to May and then have this break, only to return between mid-August and September. It's a funny rhythm, almost like the TV shows we watch, which usually air from September to May.

This morning, I found myself thinking, "Gosh, it's summertime. What am I going to watch?" because network television will be a vast wasteland for three months!

I'm a child of the TV era, where you had to watch it live and be there when it aired. Then came the DVR in the 1980s, which gave us more freedom to record and watch later. In saying this, I'm connected to TV and all it offers, good and bad.

So, I'm always on the lookout for a new show. The advent of Netflix and other streaming services has been a game-changer. The thrill of discovering a new series, be it a documentary, drama, comedy, or international show, is something I'd never considered before. It's like a treasure hunt, and I'm grateful for the chance to explore new types of programming.

I started wondering who else had noticed this shift. Some people only stream and don't bother with network TV anymore. You can get much network content through streaming services, so that problem is solved. But then another dilemma arises: finding a series you love and realizing it has seven seasons. The time investment can be staggering! I've done this multiple times, especially during the pandemic when we were all locked in our homes. The pandemic changed our daily routines and entertainment habits, pushing many of us towards streaming platforms for our daily dose of entertainment.

Recently, I finished a three-season series I had put on my saved list and moved on to the more popular shows. It's called "Sweet Tooth," and it's set in an apocalyptic America where a virus has decimated humanity, and hybrid children—part human, part animal—are being born. It's a two-sided situation: hybrids are born because of the virus, and humans are dying from it. The show is a simple yet profound allegory based on a DC comic. At its core, it's the story of a little boy and a grown man trying to redeem their lives and find their way in this new world they are living in. The characters and their struggles resonated with me, and I found myself deeply invested in their journey.

Rarely do I clap at the end of a TV show or movie, but 'Sweet Tooth' was different. It moved me in a way that I couldn't help but applaud. This Series reminded me that our story is at the heart of everything. It's about what we tell ourselves and others about who we are, what we believe, and how we see the world should be. Watching 'Sweet Tooth' was a powerful reminder that I have a story to tell. It's a gift to me, and it's my testimony.

So, how are you sharing your testimony and journey with others? In this world, our stories are our most precious possessions. They inspire, connect, and remind us of our humanity. They remind us that we all have a story to tell, and it's a story worth sharing.