The End of Another Summer

When you have spent your whole life in one aspect of education or another, Labor Day means the end of summer. As a student, as a teacher, as a parent, and now as a grandparent, Labor Day marks the end of summer freedom. I remember thinking as my children and then my grandchildren began their first day of
school experience, "From now on, they will always have to report in to the world of school or work."

I am a child of summer, born in July, endowed with an introvert's personality. I have always loved summer; the freedom, the quietness of not always being surrounded by noisiness, the relief from always having to perform. Labor Day has always made me melancholy.

These days I do not have to return to the world of work, but that feeling is still there. I like to indulge that feeling by marking the end of Labor Day weekend by going to watch the sun set on Summer, preferably over the sea. I did so on Monday, at the Des Moines Marina.

 Leaving the marina, we stopped by Jill's house. They live nearby. We dropped off some of our bumper crop of tomatoes so Jill can make sauce, but I'm not sure when she will find the time.  She was just arriving back from Whidbey Island, lamenting that she had to go back to work, with a meeting Tuesday morning and school beginning Wednesday. She had just dropped Jake off at his house. He, too, was lamenting the end of summer, even though for him work just continues. We are too much alike, my kids and I. 

Isaac was at soccer practice. Irene was home but happy to be going back to school. She is excited to begin her high school experience.  Good for them.

And good for me, actually, because for me, as a retired person, summer isn't over until the calendar says it is, which gives me about three more weeks!