Yesterday could have been any Sunday in any year of any month, but it seemed unique in some way. I awoke with a familiar pang of loneliness that often marks the end of a weekend but this Sunday was laden with a sense of beautiful remorse. I didn't need to look at the calendar to know that this was a Sunday in late summer. I could smell it in the air and hear it in the symphony of crickets in the evening.
Late August always brings an ending and a beginning. Summer is drawing to a close and the school year is creeping ever so near. I love the long nights of summer and the early sun beams that awaken me. I inhale deeply the heavy perfume of nature and revel in the twinkle of lightning bugs. Late August though signals the end of carefree days but brings with it the succulence of ripe fruits and vegetables.
If only this particular part of summer could last just a bit longer. Maybe just a few more weeks of heat lightning in the distance, the buzz of cicadas, the scent of pregnant earth and the laughter of my boys echoing in twilight. Rainbowed sunsets creating a backdrop for an endless childhood of melted ice cream and rowdy games of tag.
With a need to stretch the final week of summer, I headed to the farmer's market and took in the fresh produce with all my senses. The tomatoes were plump and bright, the peppers were shiny green and the blush of the nectarines was irresistible. I grabbed several bags and loaded them with sweet corn, tomatoes, raspberries and nectarines. I could taste the burst of fresh raspberries, drizzled over vanilla ice cream.
Ice cream, what a perfect end of summer dessert with my boys. I headed to their dad's house immediately because I couldn't wait any longer to see them. They had stayed with their grandparents' and then dad's house and I missed the familiar cacophony of stomping footsteps, shouts of derision or glee dependent on the outcome of a video game, I even missed the occasional sibling rivalry. I knew they missed me as well, I had the hugs and "I love yous" as proof.
I didn't wash the dishes, nor the piles of dirty laundry but I did listen to Sammy tell me how he had enjoyed a banquet of French toast, waffles and pancakes at his grandparents'. I also watched while the boys modeled their new shoes for the coming school year.
Slow down, take a deep breath, inhale all that is sweet and good and live each day for the abundant blessing it is.
