Passing of Summer

by Rolland Smith

Some thoughts today on the unofficial passing of summer. Even though we still have a few days of hot and humid weather before us, the linear summer of two thousand and twenty two is over for most of us.

Pencils and books replace endless days of play for school children, and we adults have the short glories of fall to prepare for the deep winter. There's wood to bring and things to fix.

As the summer seemingly passes and blends into the fall, there is a graceful tranquil moment for the new to begin emerging from a place invisible in the green months and the long light of summer. That moment is the Labor Day holiday.

This calendar enchantment of change to the dawning time of color is neither a first nor last, for seasons are an annual birth in their own time, recasting their unique image year after year.

So swaddle the birth of change and nurture her gifts.

Let us hold the memory of a placid and peaceful summer in our hearts of hope and be joyfully expectant of a crisp and brilliant fall.

Cradle, too, the omnipresent change of September into a sweet harmony of appreciation. Let nature's symphony of song manifest a palate of color painted by her trees and creatures as they prepare for sleep or travel.

Change is here. Let us rejoice.

Author: Rolland Smith has contributed to the Connecting to Nature Blog over time. His perceptive wisdom is so essential in these times. We are lucky to have his thoughts shared on our blog.

Photo: Joe Baust, Land Between the Lakes, Tennessee.