“Good morning,” softly whispered summer to me; “soon I will be leaving you, but oh the fun we had during the season this year; I so enjoyed your company!”
“I too enjoyed your beauty,” was my last sleeping thought of this morning; it was a nice dream!
And then my eyes began to slowly open as I looked out my bedroom sliding glass doors to the early morn blue sky and nearby field of hay; the leaves were floating to the ground from the walnut trees just across my little wooden bridge.
For sure, I had a pleasant time with the summer season this year as the temperature rose and the sky darkened with large gathering storm clouds.
The rain danced slowly on my tin roof to an old ’60s song, while thundering drums serenaded us distantly from across the fields, while summer and I danced.
The flowers and gardens were most beautiful as always.
It was a special memory of the past few months of delight with summer; a most enjoyable season.
It seemed like just yesterday, however, that I was patiently awaiting the striking of my clock’s chimes at midnight on a cold winter’s night.
Winter, spring and summer are just about history for this year. It seems like yesterday was New Year’s Eve.
Time, too, I’ve been told on occasion, picks up speed as we get older; each season comes by much faster; I’m thinking it must be so.
I am also reminded of Carl Sandburg’s observation in regard to that hour glass.
He proffered this advice, “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”
I think about Sandburg’s advice more often these days than usual and wonder if I’ve spent my own coin wisely over the years.
So many seasons have come and gone with memories left behind, and now summer was bidding me a ‘fond farewell’ for another year.
A few more warm tender embraces and she will be gone.
In just a couple weeks, fall will arrive as I watch those colorful leaves begin to fall so graciously from those walnut limbs and those large green walnuts that have begun to dot the earth.
Soon all of the Creator’s trees will light up the forest and grounds around us with a beautiful painted canvas, and some colors have yet to be named.
Memories of bygone summers will remain.
As I rose from the bed early this day, completed my morning chores, and dress, I went to my bow window to sit down in my easy chair with my September issue of the ‘Atlantic’ magazine.
I picked up my ‘magnifying’ glasses and began to read. There was an interesting story found about Canada, our northern neighbor, approving euthanasia for its most ill citizens who no longer enjoyed those above seasons.
Sixty thousand Canadians have chosen this transportation method home to date.
Just like those fall leaves, it was time for them to leave.
Outside my window, were four to five hummingbirds around my feeder and the yard flowers; in and out of the nearby maple tree they flew and back to the feeder to fill their tiny stomachs.
Some say, “A hummingbird’s presence is a blessing for the garden and the soul.”
Some say they have been around the world for millions of years and represent ‘evolution’ as its greatest designer.
Yet others ‘view them as messengers from loved ones in heaven or symbols of a spirit’s nearness.
Whatever path you choose to believe, the wonder of a hummingbird in flight is something to admire, and at the end of summer and early fall, with stomachs full they will head back south to Central America and Mexico.
And as I remain still in my chair and watch them flutter about outside, and frolic with left, right and backward flight, I am amazed by their presence and appearance of beautiful colors.
They danced with summer too, but soon it would be time to leave.
They understand the seasons of life.
And like the hummingbird, I look forward to the fall, but must prepare for the long winter that beckons me.
And wave adieu to summer with one last embrace.
She was a most ‘beautiful’ companion’!
