Today is the first day of fall. I don’t know about you, but I’m not really ready for fall just yet. Judging by some of my concerns I’ve shared with you this past week, I’m not really good with change lately.
We did have one unseasonably warm day last week and I took the girls downtown to the docks to soak in the last bit of summer before it vanished for the year.
We stood there watching the fishermen pull in their catch. Seagulls flew overhead hoping that the fishermen would toss the remnants of the cleaned fish their way.
It was a beautiful time with the girls. A simple pleasure really. We just sort of hung out and watched the comings and goings of the pier. Certainly it’s one of the benefits of living in a coastal town. There’s a lot to see.
I let the girls stretch their legs for a bit. They chased the gulls while looking for cast off crab legs that the gulls left behind from their lunch. Sort of gross if you ask me, but infinitely interesting to my girls.
After playing for a bit, we sat down at a picnic table while the girls caught their breath. During that quiet moment Leela looked up at me and said that she was sorry that summer had to end.
I shared with her that I was sorry too. As much as I adore fall, winter comes too quickly here in the northeast. And between you and me, I have a hard time in the winter.
But for today I’m going to shrug that off and focus on the fall, as fleeting as that may be. There is so much joy to fall. Lighting fires, baking pies (once I recover from the last pie endeavor), snuggling down into fleece sheets and down comforters…
There’s lots of comfort to fall. And considering how short it is, I need to pay attention to it lest I blink and it’s gone.
It’s so hard to stay in the now. Don’t you think? Sometimes I have to force myself to stay in the moment. To enjoy what’s here today, and not worry about tomorrow.
Do you struggle with that too?
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What a fun giveaway! I live in Kansas. I agree with the fall is fleeting comment. It seems like we go from summer right into winter here however we seem to be having gorgeous fall weather right now. I love it! I take my coffee heavy on the cream with a bit of stevia.
Whoops! This was supposed to be under the giveaway! I will just blame my IPad for the mistake.
Absolutely it is hard to stay in the moment. I try and remind myself of this every chance I get. Kids grow up too fast as it is and each season that passes seems to do so in the blink of an eye. While I love the fall I miss the summer with my kids.
Yeah, the summer with the kids wins over fall. The laid back mornings. No homework. No schedules. Yup. Summer wins!
You’re not alone! I feel like I’m in mourning at the end of summer. Partly because I have to go back to work, but mostly that I dread the long winter ahead. I wish I could learn to cherish every beautiful Fall day with all that it has to offer instead of thinking ahead to what seems like an eternal winter.
BTW…it was great seeing you at Springboard!
It was great to see you too Jane, although we didn’t get much of a chance to chat. And yes, I feel like I’m in mourning too. I think it’s harder for those like you who have jobs outside of the home to go back to in the fall. That has to be challenging.
part of my therapy is to stay in the moment it’s so unrealistic in today’s society, I struggle daily with this while other people take it for granted. I wish I knew the trick, but nonetheless you made the most out of a gorgeous day and that time with your children PRICELESS! Thanks for all your great posts Melanie – it truly is a blessing to see your posts.
And it’s a blessing to me that you read the posts. Thank you so much for that. Staying in the now IS hard. We are so trained as a society to look ahead, to plan, to prepare. Rarely do you have people coaching you to be still and appreciate what’s going on now. Such a hard thing to do.
I’m with you – it’s just as hard not having Autumn come when you are used to it. Moved to SC from WI about 6 weeks ago and between the unbelievably hot weather and a new boss who is a bully, I’m going to push the button tonight on a job bid in CT. I could hold on down here but life is short – and that damn Wilson Phillips song is telling me to go. LOL Yup, endless summer isn’t a great thing either.
I will cross my fingers for you that you get that job in CT. Endless summer is not all that it’s cracked up to be. I lived in Florida for several years and I did struggle with the heat. Also, I really missed trees. Not palm trees, just regular trees that change colors. I never knew how much I loved them until they weren’t around anymore.
I was just telling my husband last night that one of the reasons I love fall so much is because it is so family oriented. Costume making, Halloween Carnivals, pumpkin carving, baking, and Thanksgiving all are times where the best memories are formed!
Yes! There are lots of opportunities to form wonderful family memories in the fall. Not to mention that the weather is just so darn pleasant that time of year!
Here in southern FL, we long for fall as the slow waning of the unbearably hot days. Days when sunblock melts off and shade is a blessing plus a necessity. We have had rain for most of the week and the temps are similar to early fall. This is probably an illusion.
Oy. I remember how much I looked forward to the cooler months when I lived in Tampa. It can be unbearable down there in the hot months. As much as I crave the sunshine, I don’t love the high heat. Maybe I’m supposed to live in San Diego??
I agree completely Melanie that we must live in the moment and cherish them all, especially with the kids who do grow up too quickly and too fast. Considering where you were a year ago, I’m glad you are out and about savoring the last days of Summer and the beginning of fall. The leaves must be turning in New England now. Enjoy each day and what it brings!
Oh my, the leaves are already turning. It’s pretty, but coming too quickly. I’m already reaching for sweaters and jackets. Only one day into fall and it already seems like it’s in full gear!
I wish I could understand. I can empathize, but not sympathize. I’ve lived in SE Texas all my life. We have summer and summer lite. We trick or treat with thermal bags with an ice pack so our chocolate won’t melt in the heat before we get home (not kidding). I’ve only seen snow in Houston about 8 times in my nearly 40 yrs, and only twice has there been enough to make a snow ball. Last winter, I don’t think the temperature actually made it to 32 degrees. While I’m grateful to never shovel snow, it would be nice just once to have a traditional white Christmas.
Don’t blink…enjoy every moment of your autumn.
Summer is my favorite season and I’m always sad to see it go. I like fall, I could like it a lot more if it wasn’t a reminder of what’s to come…winter, which I absolutely can’t stand. JUst hoping and praying we have another mild one , like last year.
Trying to enjoy these last nice days though and not worry too much about what’s to come.
Yes Mel, I too struggle with staying in the here and now. I think part of it is because we’re taught to plan ahead for most everything. We grow up looking ahead, always “can’t wait” for something to arrive. Then it arrives and we’re still looking ahead that we miss what it was we couldn’t wait for, if that makes sense. And part may be that we’re moms, women, and it’s in our blood to plan and be sure we’re ready for whatever it is that may or may not come our way. So I too have to remind myself, sometimes daily, that it’s this moment that really matters and what I make of that moment, especially with the kiddos.
Enjoyed the photos and sentiments much. Thanks Mel.
Nancy (PA)
Fall is my favorite season, and it barely lasts at all, whereas winter just seems to go on forever and ever here in the northeast. Now that I am retired, I can live each day in the moment. No more worrying about whether my 8th graders will appreciate the lessons I worked so hard to develop for them.
Once I retired, I made a promise to myself to spend more time with my adult children. One way I am doing this, is to spend a few days every year on vacation with them. This year is a place in NY called Storm King. It’s an outdoor art museum with huge sculptures. Maybe next year, I’ll think about the place in Vermont that you took your kids to a couple of weeks ago. I plan to spend as much time in those moments with them now that they have wives and have moved away.
I’ve never had trouble saying goodbye to summer. But then both hubby and I work full time, so there are no lazy mornings at our house except on weekends. And I hate hot weather. And bugs. (I do like the longer daylight hours.) Around here, fall starts the good stuff. The tourists go home, work isn’t so chaotic and temps are cooler. Perfect for football and campfires and family hikes. Perfect for grilling out or turning the oven on. Yup. Fall is always welcome at my house. (Winter too…but that’s another comment for another time.)
I adore fall, but hate that winter is right after it. I love fall colors and love to decorate my house for fall. Loving the new blog by the way!
I hate saying good-bye to summer. It’s so darn short here in a New England. The last few weeks have given us spectacular weather. I think it’s a gift before the roar of the cold, snow and freezing rain…blah I wish I liked it better, but never have, never will. The thing I dislike most is the darkness, dark mornings and the end of daylight at 4:30 PM, I find it very depressing.