Summer's eve and new beginnings

For years, I have spent the eve of summer in one place that is extremely special to my heart. It took me all 27 years to realize this tradition; as I lay here resting on this last day in my retreat - it finally dawned on me.

Most years, this last little trip before preparing for school coincided with the family reunion - a gathering of my grandmother's extended family to celebrate and reminisce together. Recently, attending the reunion has been hit or miss with busy schedules and changing dates, but I seem to always find a moment to escape here for a bit before the craziness of back to school begins.

My grandparents' have lived in the same house for my entire life - settled on who knows how many acres of land that makes up the church property. Wildlife unseen beyond mountain trails or bird books find its way to the back yard for spectacular shows of color and sound. Fruit trees on green grass and a perimeter of brush make up the landscape as we sit and swing on the back porch.

As the swing creaks back and forth, I hear the minutes of summer clicking down in their rhythmic daze. While the morning and afternoon of summer seem to lazily stroll by, the evening pace quickens - if only slightly at first. Each minute becomes slightly shorter, each day concludes fractionally quicker and the sun starts setting.

Despite the desire to relax and enjoy the last days, I feel my heart begin to quicken with the minute hand - my knee bouncing to the shortened rhythm of the day. While I relax, thoughts of schedules and lists begin creeping into my conscious thought, but the landscape provides a happy melding.

It's never really back to school until I've spent, even just one day out here, relaxing, taking in the sights of my childhood, adolescence, and now adulthood. It's the one location in my life that has remained standard. Moving houses, schools, changing churches, friends, whatever the difference may be, this place has always been my summer get away home. It has granted me the opportunity to transition in peace - not forcefully or all at once, but slowly, like the summer breeze.

Now as I lay here reflecting on all of the past summers' eves I have spent enjoying these last few lazy days, I look joyfully ahead to the new school year. Most people think years run January to December, but any teacher will tell you that they really run August to July. So, with the flip of the calendar, a new year is just beginning. Who knows what marvelous adventures await with this new beginning.