Next week school begins for us, so it’s inevitable that my current obsession is the last moments of Summer. Sure it’s not technically over, and sure we can still go to the beach well into September, but once school starts it’s not the same.

Sunday evening the feeling was especially profound as we took the kids to an outdoor movie. As I walked to the truck I couldn’t believe Fall was already making such a presence.

And still more so when we huddled under blankets and waited for the movie to start. A movie outside is so much better. It’s too dark to see someone cut their eye at you because all the kids talk out loud.

And everyone held their kids a little closer, maybe because it was cold, or maybe because they’re like me and they don’t want to let them go next week.

The last of the Summer moments always make my chest a little tight. Next year this time they’ll be a year older. Next year this time they may not find as much joy in light up glasses.

It is my hope that I can go forward into Fall holding my children as close, weighing my moments as importantly, and loving my life as much as I do in these last moments of Summer.

~ Joelynne