Hmm…not quite Summer, not quite Fall.
Do you feel it too?
The winding down of summer? The fluttering of change in the air?
Or are you still on vacation in some faraway place, languishing in the sun with the sound of splashing water in the background? If you are, I sure hope you’re reading a fantastic book. And that you’re surrounded by the smell of coconut tanning lotion and that you don’t have to worry about cooking. Those are my requirements for a perfect summer getaway.
Although right now the pace of my life is miles away from vacation mode. No lying on the beach these days because in our house we’re full-speed ahead in ‘moving’ mode. Making lists and counting towels and shopping for school supplies and packing boxes for both boys.
Saturday we packed a U-haul filled with hand-me-down furniture for Patrick’s new apartment in San Luis Obispo. His semester started on Monday so it was a one-day whirlwind trip. Eleven hours on the road.
While I drove with Patrick in his car, Jim drove separately with the U-haul trailer filled to the top.
Along the way Patrick and I pulled off the freeway and discovered a charming little café where we had a salad and cold drinks. The weather was hot and muggy and we didn’t even know where we were.
While we waited for our food he told me funny stories and shared some Instagram photos. And I was aware of feeling so happy to be hanging out in some nameless city with him. Eating great food and laughing.
It’s not everyday you get to spend five hours in a car with your twenty-one year old son, listening to his favorite music and hearing him talk excitedly about his goals.
click:
At one point he played this oldie.
It was Don McLean’s American Pie (“I can’t believe you know this song!”) and we sang it out loud in the car. Have you ever had this song blasting from your radio while traveling down a California freeway on a summer afternoon? It’s an exhilarating feeling.
Later he played an old Earth, Wind and Fire song (“here Mama, this one’s for you”) and with a continual stream of music in the background we reminisced about old times, we discussed books he’s currently reading and we talked about Life.
His and mine.
Jim and I finally made it back home after midnight and we fell into bed exhausted.
What a day.
But we’re relieved, Patrick’s all moved in and minus a messy kitchen, some unwanted flies and a runaway mattress the day went pretty well.
Next on our family schedule is Michael. We leave early Wednesday morning to move him into his new place because he begins his first semester at college in a week.
Whew… it’s all happening right now.
I
Tell me. What are your last days of summer like?
Can you feel it too?
Can you sense something new and different emerging in your life?
(any letting go?)
I would love to hear.
xoxo
Leslie
17 comments:
i feel it. i feel it. i get the itch to become very organized. to streamline and simplify. to clear out clutter and scrub. not that i'm doing that today...
the time with your son sounds perfect, and i totally get it. i love the relationship we now have with our 21 yr old as he has matured so much and cherishes us more.
i sang american pie on the stage with a boy named bruce in 5th grade in a smokin hot quilted maxi dress. i'm old!!!!!
happy new week.
michele
Yes, I feel it! We are done with camps and are in that in-between stage of family time and getting ready for the school year to start. We don't start till after Labor Day in NJ so we have a little bit of time yet. I love hearing about your bonding time in the car with your son. You will always remember that. So sweet and so special! Thanks for sharing!
-Shelley
Leslie, I feel it too! I love Fall and have been feeling a little chill in the air and the days growing shorter. But I also feel a little restlessness, to move on from summer to the holidays and family togetherness and all that that entails.
Your journey with your son sounds perfect! A day in the car talking, laughing and just being together. Simple pleasures and special moments.
Good luck this week as you move your son out and on to a new place, the stepping stones of life. College is going to be wonderful and filled with adventures for you both!
Oh, as our sons get older the time spent with them becomes more rare and precious, doesn't it? There was one day this summer that I talked my 18 year old, who moves into the dorms on Thursday, into going on a hike with me. Coming down from the hill, we saw a man working on this beautiful old house built in 1900 that has been vacant for a long time. We said, "hello" to him and the next thing we knew he was giving us a tour! Then, my son suddenly wanted to take me to this bagel shop I never knew about. It was such a lovely day. Your road trip with your son reminded me of it. I'm really going to miss him when he goes away to college. Yes, I feel the in between seasons in more ways than one. Thanks for the lovely post.
I have to say...this sounds like the most perfect day...and the Henry Ellis quote at the end of the post really speaks to me. I am doing some letting go in my own life right now. Thanks for sharing!
I admire the fact that you and your son were able to carry on such a great conversation all the way to his school. My boys didn't "talk" until their mid twenties!! What a gorgeous town he is going to school in, I've heard a lot about it.
My daughter is finishing up her last semester of college with student teaching at a high school, so she is sort of doing double school duty. Today was the first day and I think she's in bed already! That's a sure sigh summer is almost over...no more late nights! ;-D
XO,
Jane
What a great trip you had making some great new memories along the way. I am on vacation so I am holding on to summer as long as I possibly can. I actually love this time of year ~ warm and sunny during the day yet that nip in the air at night ~ much nicer for sleeping for sure. We are in the midst of another humid spell so it feels like July right now! I love American Pie ~ another great car song is Bohemian Rhapsody!
I can feel it, Leslie...which is fine by me...I love the changing seasons :-)
The simple pleasure of just being with your children are joyful aren't they? It sounds like you had a wonderful journey with your son...memories made...I had a wonderful trip recently with my 24 year old daughter in Paris...laughing, chattering, reminiscing and talking of both of our lives...it makes my heart glow when I think of it.
Have a lovely day.
xx
Such big changes for you this year with both boys away. More time for you and Jim to enjoy, less laundry and more quiet.
I can feel it too - love those last days of summer when the anticipation of life returning to normal begins - signing up for classes, canning produce from the garden, fires in the backyard on a chilly evening and throwing a blanket on the bed. Love it.
I bet that was the best five hour drive ever! And change is most
definitely in the air. I've always felt that the end-of-summer/back-to-school transition is the most dramatic change of the year! Hope this transition is a smooth one for your family!
It sounds like a wonderful trip. I have had a few of those with my daughter going back and forth from LA to the Bay Area. I love the San Luis Obispo area and pretty much know that road with my eyes closed at this point. haha....If all stays well with Alex, I will be heading up in a few weeks to visit my kids and bring a few things up for my daughter Steff since she moved into a new place too! Love and hugs to you! xxoo
Oh, the college drop off day. We were basket cases when we dropped JP at Cal. We thought we had it totally together 6 years later when we dropped KC at UCSB. We drove away, no tears and then realized we had her keys. Going back to her room was too much and we both cried a little on the way home.
Have fun going to Orange County and have fun being empty nesters.
My son plays American Pie all the time too!!!
I could drive with him anytime because he happens to love older music lol -
Don't know if I could listen to rap music for 5 hours though - that would be a difficult one........
It's been 3 years and I still haven't adjusted to being an empty nester - not to scare you or anything - I'm just a slow learner maybe LOL
XOXO
Yes these are the last days, aren't they? We've been camping in Corsica. Another long drive, new friends, long morning swims, many books, great local beer and Pastis in the local square. Lovely. I hope to keep the warmth in my bones as long as I can. Good luck to your boys in their new lives. Xcat
I understand that feeling of summer coming to an end. I love the sweet story of your travels with your boy and am wishing you the best as you send the kiddos off. xx
Leslie dear,
I thought of you-and all the other parents-preparing to drop off their children at college. I was at our local target in Chico (University town)and the place was swamped. Carts and carts to create the new lives. I felt a little choked up for all the moms and dads. Such a transitional time. Savor every moment.
Hugs, Heather
I am in awe of your blog... and how very much we have in common. My oldest daughter, who is 21, is finishing her senior year in San Luis Obispo...
Your quote about holding on... and letting go ... has been my life .. and mantra... for the the past four years :))
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