When the long Labour Day weekend arrives, I wonder if this is truly the end of summer. Meteorologically, autumn begins on September 1. The cooler mornings at our cottage indicate a change of season.
Summer Plans
The arrival of summer brings anticipation of opportunities for unscheduled long lazy days to spend at the cottage.
This year I had many plans for the summer including museum visits, weekend entertaining and photography excursions. There would be extra time for long lunches with friends and time to go to summer theatre events. We would have sleepover visits with our grandchildren. We could have outdoor adventures including hikes in the nearby Pinery Provincial Park to observe birds and wild animals in their natural habitat.
Life Interferred
But life interfered.
When the air conditioner at our house in the city suddenly gave up, we had to make several trips back home. Getting estimates, researching different brands and models and finalizing a contract took time. We decided on a new HVAC system and replaced the furnace as well as the air conditioner. Thank goodness we had AC at the cottage where we stayed during the heat waves. Nonetheless, choosing a system and having it installed required time and energy that could have been dedicated to summer pursuits.
Just after the installation of the new HVAC system, one of the sensors in the alarm system began intermittently triggering alarms at our house. There’s nothing more distressing than having a lovely beach afternoon disrupted by an emergency call from the security provider when the alarm is activated. even if no doors are breached! A new upgraded system was required and this meant more trips back home!
Creature comforts and peace of mind took precedence over days spent languishing on the deck at the cottage, swimming in the cool water of Lake Huron or having outdoor adventures.
There was only one local museum visit, some entertaining, and a few overnights with grandchildren.
The end of Summer
Suddenly, it’s Labour Day and that usually signals an abrupt end to this wonderful season.
Season changes are non-negotiable. Although we may experience a few days of warm summer weather for the next week or two, Labour Day reminds us that a transition is coming.
The reality of the end of summer is apparent when I look at my September schedule filled with dates for lunches, book clubs, and bridge games. And, the structure of a schedule provides a means to optimize each day.
Letting go of summer is a loss that I can accept with grace knowing that each season has its beauty. I can accept the change and look for new opportunities as autumn begins. The changing seasons can serve as a reminder to embrace the colours, smells, and emotions of each season of the year.
I’m determined to accept the end of summer with anticipation of the changes it will certainly bring.
I like how you wrote “… each season has its beauty.” And in the next sentence “accept the change and look for new opportunities.” And lastly “… the structure of a schedule …. provides the means to optimize each day.” Wonderful thoughts – not just for the seasons of the weather, but for the seasons of life, too. Thanks for your post!
Well, Betty, you are reading my mind when mentioning the seasons of life. I started to make that comparison when writing the post but decided to omit it as it may have taken me on too much of a side trip!
The change of seasons always reminds me of the seasons of life — spring and childhood, summer and youth, autumn and mid-life and, finally winter and aging.
From reading your recent posts, I’m sure you aren’t feeling the end of summer while on your volunteer gig in Texas!
Enjoy every minute of your time there!
Jeanette aka postworksavvy