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
