A Mother’s Musing : It’s was a good summer — but where did it go?
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Each year the first day of school seems to approach even faster than it did the year before. Wasn't it just last week that summer stretched out in front of us as one long, hot possibility ? I remember promising myself a couple of three-day weekends to make up for the lack of summer vacation and lots of time spent reading on the pontoon boat as it rocked gently near shore.
A minute later, it's time to go back-to-school shopping.
This is a landmark year for my family with only one child to shop for. The older two are living on their own and the oldest, a recent college graduate, won't be going back to school at all.
It's been years since I had to stock up on crayons and washable glue. Now, we buy a package of loose leaf paper and maybe a new pack of pens. Like many things, back-to-school shopping gets simpler as the kids grow up.
But I still don't like doing it. Back-to-school shopping means that summer is pretty much over. It'll still be hot for a couple of weeks while the kids struggle to adjust to their school schedules, but once the yellow buses start appearing every morning, summer as we know it is over.
I did manage one three-day weekend over the Fourth of July, but there really hasn't been much time to spend reading on the boat. The summer got busy, the same way it always does and then it's over.
We had our first school activity last week - the Rogers Heritage High School Cross Country picnic. While the kids ran, the parents slowly got to know each other. Parents of ninth graders had questions about meets and fundraisers. Parents of sophomores and juniors were busy trying to figure out which kids would attend that other school. A surprising number of people passing by stopped to ask what was going on and who the War Eagles were. Parents got a taste of the excitement of starting something brand new.
Another landmark this year - I won't be driving anyone to school. When we chose to live out by the lake and saw how early the school buses go by, I agreed to drive the kids in every morning. At first I drove three kids to three different schools. My morning commute took well over an hour each day. Then the oldest one got her license and I was down to driving two kids, except on the days when she was grounded and lost driving privileges, a punishment for me as much as for her.
Then the middle child got his license and when he couldn't drive, he found a friend to take him in. So the youngest daughter and I have spent a half hour together every morning for the past few years. She inherited my old car this summer and I know I'm going to miss that half hour.
It's been a pretty good summer, in spite of the cool start. In May when the lake looked muddy and it was too cool to swim, we were worried. Luckily, it was clear and much warmer by the Fourth of July. I may be the only person in Arkansas who loves the hot humid weather we just endured. By the first of August, Beaver Lake felt like slipping into a warm bath and we stayed out late in the evening watching the stars come out from a plastic raft.
It doesn't take much to make me happy in the summer time. A meal cooked on the little gas grill that is attached to the side of the boat, a raft and some good company. That's the way I enjoy Beaver Lake all summer. And that's why I hate to see the summer end.
We still have a few Saturday outings left, in between cross country practice and Frisco Festival, but from now on Sundays will be spent getting ready for a week of school. It was a good summer, just way too short.
Reporter Lynn Atkins can be contacted by e-mail at lynna @ nwanews. com.
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