A Change of Season

/ Ann Coleman

According to the calendar, Summer isn’t officially over until September 21.  But for me, the Labor Day weekend has always signaled the end of summer.  Public swimming pools close, all the kids are back in school, and although the days remain warm (or even hot), they are shorter and followed by cooler nights.  And the flowers that bloomed all summer long begin to look faded and worn, as if they know that the first frost isn’t all that far away.

Some years I’m more than ready for Fall, but not this year.  This year the summer went by way too fast, and we had so many unseasonably cool days that I barely got to wear most of my summer clothes.  If I had my way, we’d be celebrating the 4th of July this weekend, not Labor Day.  But I don’t get my way on such things, and Fall is coming whether I like it or not.  So all I can really do is think back on the last three months and be grateful for all the good memories they brought.

I’m grateful for the short trips we took to visit old friends who we don’t see nearly often enough.  I’m glad that I have finally figured out that good friends are worth the time and effort it takes to stay in touch, no matter how far away they live.  I may not be getting any smarter as I age, but I am doing much better when it comes to getting my priorities straight.

I’ll remember the cool nights my husband and I ate dinner out on our patio, which is rare in St. Louis’ usually hot and humid summers.  I’ll remember that this was the summer we finally painted the ugly-colored brick on our house an attractive shade of grey.  For the first time in over twenty years, I drive up to my house and think, “Wow! That looks nice!”

IMG_2688I’m grateful that I got the chance to host my mom’s 87th birthday party so that she could celebrate with some of her family and friends.  So many of my friends have lost their moms in recent years, and I know that they would give anything to be able to have them around for just one more family gathering.  When I was young, I tended to take my parents for granted (as young people do) thinking that they would always be around when I finally decided to make time for them.  Now I know better.

fullsizeoutput_417bBut mostly, I will always remember that this is the summer that I learned that we will be welcoming a grandson into our family in a few months.  Becoming a grandmother will be a huge and wonderful change in my life, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the reality that my daughter is going to have a baby of her own.  To say I’m excited for the arrival of my first grandchild would be an understatement.

So this Labor Day, there is a part of me that is not quite ready to let go of summer and that wishes Fall would hold off just a little while longer.  But I also know that the changing seasons mirror the changing phases of my life, and that they mostly bring good things.  A mere three years ago, my immediate family consisted of only four people.  Two weddings later, it has grown to six, and soon there will a seventh member of our family.  And that’s a change I wouldn’t trade for the world.

102 thoughts on “A Change of Season”

  1. I really love this time of year (even though it’s still pretty warm here). We travel a lot this spring and summer, so I am very much looking forward to being home for a while and enjoying the less-crowded beaches, roads, etc. Yay fall!

    How exciting that you will soon be welcoming a new grandchild to your family!

    Liked by 5 people

  2. We don’t really have seasons here other than the wet season (summer) and the dry season (winter). The winter weather is perfect but I do miss the fall foliage, hay rides, snowballs, and sledding I knew in Pennsylvania. Thanks Ann

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    • As much as I love Florida in the winter, I know if I ever moved too far south I would miss the changing seasons, too. Sometimes they change before I am quite ready, but deep down, I really do like having four seasons. Still, in the middle of January, I do envy all those how live in warm climates!

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  7. woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo grandma ann! lovely post, but…… one thing caught my attention most……… YIPPPPEEEEEE for a sweet baby boy. oh my heart! thanks for the joy today!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  9. I can’t imagine living somewhere where I didn’t experience the change of seasons. I look forward to all of them but fall is definitely my favourite! How exciting that you are going to be a grandma! Having just become one this past year, I can tell you this little one will fill your heart with such joy. Congratulations!

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  12. Ooo all this grandmother talk is getting me in the spirit should my turn come soon. Congratulations. And I made a new word today when talking with my grown kids about my favorite season. I said sprall is my favorite. Spring and fall. Oh and winter and well then there’s summer at the lake … hmmm

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  15. Like you I feel that there is something wonderful about this time of year, autumn as we call it in UK. When the trees start to change colour and the evenings draw in, we light the fires, start making soup again and there’s no greater joy than a long walk on a crisp day, followed by hot chocolate and a good book. As for the arrival of a grandchild my advice is to enjoy every minute you spend together, let the chores wait and concentrate on making magic memories. being a Grandmother can be hard work sometimes but the joy and love more than compensate and we have the magic gift of time which today’s busy parents are often lacking. Time to get the knitting needles out !

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  17. Love that you are reflecting on your summer. I’m with you- it passed too quickly. I’m not ready for the pools to close. Ha. How wonderful that you hosted your mom’s birthday. Bet that was so awesome. Congratulations on becoming a grandmother! How exciting!

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  21. Your post is so cute and lovely. It literally filled my heart with butteries of joy 😇. And congrats , you are becoming a grandmother!!!!!!😊😊 And say “A very happy and prosperous birthday” to Nonaa(i just think that nonaa is cute). Love your post.

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  23. When we lived in England, I always imagined an autumnal nip in the air on 1st September, whatever the calendar says about the seasons. Here in Scotland autumn seems to start in August – in fact, the schools break up earlier and go back in the middle of August so summer feels long over now. However, whatever the weather does, you have lots to look forward to! Congratulations.

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  24. Oh Ann.
    You have so much too look forward to.
    Our first grandchild, Caeden, is now four months old.
    When my wife and I are with him, we’re not in our
    late 50’s, we’re in our late 20’s. He’s our little rainbow.
    It’s amazing how one tiny little human being can radiate
    such happiness.
    Because of Caeden, I wrote my first Happy poem, Welcome.
    Which you read and commented on. Kindly. 😃
    All the very best to you, your family and the newcomer.

    Liked by 3 people

    • I am so looking forward to becoming a grandmother! And I can imagine how being around a grandbaby makes us feel so much younger, and gives us hope for the future. I can’t wait! And I hope to be reading your excellent poems for many, many more years.

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  27. Your summer was too wet and cold, our summer was (still is) too dry and hot. Talk about balance in nature?! How important family is, you made very clear. My wife and I experienced this summer, what you post proclaimed. Family and friendship are important. We attended our son’s wedding in Victoria, BC and became part of an ever growing family. Also another grandchild is on the way. The coming event is a great source of joy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with your kindred blogging friends, Ann!

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    • Congratulations on both your son’s wedding and on the soon-to-be new grandchild! It is so much fun to watch our families grow, isn’t it?
      I also wish nature would balance itself out a little. Here in the States, we have record heat and wildfires to the West, and record flooding to the East. What we need is something between those two extremes!

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  34. Hi Ann, I just read your latest few posts and then went to the beginning of your blog to read a few more. I love it! So much of what you say resonates with how I’m feeling and yuh say it so well with a great mix of humor and wisdom! Congrats on the grandson! I have two sweet grandchildren and they are the best balm to middle age! I live in Texas so would love some fall weather, I’m jealous.

    Liked by 3 people

  37. I also mourn the loss of summer, but as you say, without change (in time, season, life) there would be no added family members. Congrats to your burgeoning family. Nine years ago I had one husband and two adult children. Now I have one husband, two + two adult children, and six grandkids. WOWEE. Never saw that coming. Each summer flew by, and each new year brought new life. xo

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  38. Well, congratulations soon to be Grandma😊 Have you decided what you want the new baby to call you? Do they know what they’re having yet or do they want to be surprised?
    From someone who just had his sixth grandchild a few weeks ago, I can tell you it’s a very different experience, one you will cherish and love…)
    The change of seasons come in many forms, don’t they. 😊

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  39. Congratulations on becoming a grandparent soon! We are not close to that milestone yet, both our kids (22 and 21) are not quite ready for that step, but my husband can’t wait for that announcement! I am curious about your experience with painting over brick. We just bought a new house in Tucson and it is brick. I don’t mind the outside but the interior would be nice to change. The previous homeowners painted the brick white, grey would be lovely! Did you treat the walls in any special way? Did you use regular interior house paints, or perhaps you only painted the exterior? Any advice would be appreciated. I have done a lot of interior painting in the past, but never over brick.
    Thanks for any advice you could offer 🙂

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    • We didn’t put a primer on the outside of our house, but that’s because the people at the pain store said that our brick was so textured that the paint would have no problems adhering to it. Plus, we used a high-quality paint, which I think helps. I have painted a brick interior wall, but it was already painted when we bought the house, so I just added a new layer in the color I wanted. That meant I could just use the same paint I was using on our plaster walls.
      I think the best approach is to go to a paint specialty store and ask their advice. Maybe even take a long a photo of your brick, so they can see how smooth or textured it is.
      And I hope you do get grandchildren some day!

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  40. That’s the beauty of life….the many seasons it offers us. Each year. And through an entire lifetime, as we all grow a bit older each day in our respective journeys of ‘being’. The constant is birth. For even in the face of the losses and changes that form an inevitable part of aging, we’re reminded that life springs eternal through an amazing hope born in ‘new’ life. New friends. New memories. New challenges and opportunities. New learnings. And new grandchildren! Congratulations– and may many, many blessings come your way in the future. Peace.

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  42. Loved this piece Ann, especially that you two will soon be grandparents! How exciting and so excited for you. So neat also that you were able to celebrate with your mom on her birthday, looks like a wonderful time. Enjoy the last few days of summer and look forward to seeing you soon.

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