The time for a summer evaluation is now that Labour Day is over.. Although we have not yet reached the fall equinox, the sun sets earlier, and nighttime temperatures drop — all are good indicators that the season is beginning to change.
I’m ambivalent about these changes. I wanted more beach days. I wanted more long, glorious summer days. However, southern Ontario temperatures plummeted in the past week.
I can’t stop time passing — fall is here! As I write this post, I see one of our mature birch trees outside my cottage window sporting a yellow leaf canopy.
To evaluate the summer, I’ve considered my accomplishments, what I learned and shortcomings/mistakes.
Accomplishments
Liming was one of my accomplishments. At the beginning of summer, I wrote a post about liming and my intentions for good limes at the cottage. Summer — A Time for Liming.
I entertained family and friends over meals. Our grandchildren came for sleepovers. I sipped summer beverages on the deck and on the beach with cottage neighbours. One of my book clubs visited at the cottage for the July meeting, and, despite a heat wave, I made a turkey dinner!
Five intense heat waves in Southern Ontario hampered my gardening. I struggled to clean up overgrown ivy at the cottage but succumbed to the heat and hired help for other clean up and landscaping jobs. Hostas at the cottage got a good compost feeding and they thrived in the shade of our red oaks. My veggie garden in the city struggled despite keeping the underground sprinklers on timers when we were away. In spite of the dry season I harvested a decent amount of zucchini, purple kale, arugula, and tomatoes.
The long summer days allowed time for reading. I finished most of the books chosen for the year by both my book clubs. Although I did not enjoy every book, each one took me on a journey, and I am richer for the wisdom of the words I read — sometimes late into the night.
Learning
I learned that enthusiasm is contagious. My 7-year-old grandson showed me over and over again how every day is an adventure. He embraced every and any activity involving movement. Jumping on the sand dunes, playing in the lake, running on the beach, speeding on his scooter — any/or all of these might be on the agenda for a morning’s entertainment. His encouragement usually included words like “come on grandma — you can do it!” How could I disappoint him even when I felt sluggish?
Such enthusiasm offered a necessary life lesson. I learned again how important it is to embrace all experiences with childlike passion. The result was a more positive mindset and more energy to keep moving. Who says a child’s exuberance can’t inspire?
Set backs
About a month ago I took a bad fall after my ankle turned when I stepped into a hollow in the pavement during my morning walk.
After I assessed the damages — a badly bruised and skinned knee — I righted myself and slowly hobbled home although my knee was painful. I cleaned the wound, bandaged the knee, and started icing to deal with the bruising.
Falling slowed me down; it also forced me to abandon my daily exercise routine for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, it happened after my grandson’s visit to the cottage so he didn’t have to accomodate an ailing grandmother who needed to spend most of the day icing and elevating her knee.
Once forced to slow down, I spent time sitting on the deck in the shade of the giant oak trees at our cottage. Nature is important as a healer for the body and the frightened spirit.
Engaging in self-care allowed my sore knee to stabilize but it remained painful for several days.
Healing my spirit involved dealing with apprehension. My confidence suffered a jolt after the unexpected fall. I realized again how dangerous it is for an older person to fall.
More importantly, I realized that I was indeed, an older person!
Endings
Endings make for new beginnings.
The summer evaluation allowed me to face the season’s ending. I’ve cleared the decks before transitioning into a new season.
Nature is cyclical and every season brings fresh opportunities. Life is also cyclical — I remain determined to enjoy every day of this last phase!
I look forward to new experiences, I’m going to hold tight to the lessons in enthusiasm for living taught by my grandson. I’ll also take more care when on my morning walks. I’ll continue to spend time in nature enjoying the healing journey it offers. Most of all, I’ll continue liming with my friends regardless of the season.
I always enjoy reading your posts. They are written so well and contain such soft reflections and wisdom. It sounds like you had a wonderful summer – except for the falling part. But, at least the timing was not the worst. I would add I don’t see any mistakes/shortcomings. And I must agree on the enthusiasm part. Passion, enthusiasm are definitely contagious! You are blessed with that grandson. I have also read recently that a positive attitude is one of the most important factors in healthy aging. So, I remind myself to look for the good – especially when body parts hurt. You are right – life is cyclical. But even in this last stage of our lives, there are stages – and more cycles, I’d say. God willing – we have a ways to go! Thanks for a wonderful post, and I hope your autumn is enjoyable!
Thank you for your kind words about my posts. I have also read about the role of a positive attitude in promoting healthy aging, encompassing both physical and mental health. Of course, good health reduces stress and enables one to engage in activities, hobbies, and social connections. With good health, we can enjoy all the stages of life that may be offered, regardless of other circumstances.
Be well, Jeanette
Yes summer feels as though it is very much coming to an end here in North Yorkshire too – how did it pass so quickly?
Transitioning from that carefree summer feeling to autumn seems to come with a dose of nostalgia and saddness. Those feelings along with awareness of time passing can create an amount of anxiety. I’m desperately trying to hold on to the carefree summer feeling!