Is Summer Really Over?

Can it be true? Is summer already over? Schools have opened. Vacationers are back home.

Regular routines have begun again. I love autumn, Yet, there is something refreshing, relaxing about the less scheduled days of summer.

We spend part of each summer in a rented lake house with our family. I live for those days – grandkids splashing around, new hikes to explore as they get older, family dinners with all our kids and their kids. I always feel more than a bit sad when we drive west again. It’s not as if we don’t see each other during the rest of the year. We all travel back and forth a lot and rely daily on FaceTime. But, it’s not the same as living under one roof – with all the chaos and love.

Summers give me the chance to introduce my grandkids to fishing, sailing, tubing and the mountains. It gives them the chance to try to teach me video games and camp songs. (I’m much better at camp songs.) Summers can be truly lazy. Summer days can be planned on the spur of the moment. Even the occasional rainy day has its pleasures.

I don’t like heat. But, I do love the warmth that comes with that family, lakeside summer retreat.

It’s moving toward fall now. That means wonderful temperatures, beautiful colors. Fall is actually my favorite season. I just have to get everyone on board with a fall vacation, too!