FALL – Is it time for a change?

What happened to the summer? Does it seem to go faster each year or is it just me?

Harry has a new trick: He greets me at the door after I get home from school with his leash in his mouth.  If I don’t take him for a walk he persists in barking.  He has me well trained.

As I was walking along the beach this afternoon, it was so quiet.  The remnants of Saturday night’s camp out bonfire still visible on the sand.  I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for all the 13 past summers that we have lived in this house.  Each year the neighbors all gather with their tents and set up on the beach.  Some bring private hibachis to cook but there is always one big fire for everyone.

I could see in my mind’s eye my younger son running around with his friends until the wee hours of the morning.  I admit that after the first year, I would sleep in my bed (my house is in walking distance to the beach) and then set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. to help set up coffee and bagels for the masses.

As he got older and more independent I am sure that he and the other kids in the hood were up to no good – but it was innocent fun with friends that he grew up with.  At least I think it was innocent.

This year the crowd was smaller than past years.  The new families with small children were braving the dark tents and dew covered sleeping bags the next morning. They donned their kids with light up necklaces and put marshmallows on long sticks which never quite make it to the extremely hot bonfire.

My son and many of his friends are off at college or just too old for this now. A few folks went down to the beach to visit with one another before we all start the long winter hibernation of staying in during the winter. It happens every year.

My oldest will be turning 25 on Friday.  How did that happen?

Those baby days were fun.  I loved being with my kids when they were little and watching them learn about the world.  As they got more independent I was ready for it and happy to give them some freedom.  Now I can go a couple of days without talking to them.  I guess that’s normal but sometimes I really do miss those days when they were little. Why I’m glad I worked when the kids were little

I remember crying when I turned 10.  I would never be single digits again. I may be a bit sensitive.

I think becoming a widow so early in my life has made me less sensitive.

Sometimes things don’t go the way you would like them to.  Sometimes things just aren’t fair.

I’ve come to realize that some things you can not change.  What is that serenity prayer?

And then when change is a good thing, you may need to just do it.

I am thinking about doing some changes to my home. We never took the plunge with redoing kitchens or bathrooms.  They could use an update.

I am thinking about changes in my life.  When do I retire? If I retire what do I do next?

My kids will be graduating college and law school soon and I am sure there will be changes after that.  Will they live with me, near me or far, far away?  I don’t really have control over that one!

I’m trying to plan the next phase of my life.  As I walked along the deserted beach today I felt like I am entering the season of Fall.  Summer is those years that you raise a family or build a career.  You are busy.  You have important things to do and take care of every day.   Hopefully the sun is shining and most of your memories are good.

Fall is different.  Change is in the air.  It just happens and it’s time.  Making those changes without my husband of 26 years is unsettling.  He always had some idea of what we were going to do next.  Even if I didn’t like the idea, we could discuss it.  Now it’s up to me.  I do have some people influencing my decisions but, sometimes I feel like I am just treading water. I’m not sure which direction to go.

I’ve been having stressful dreams.  Maybe it’s because tomorrow is my birthday, or because I have a son who is a quarter of a century old!

I need to recall what got me through my tough days.  I would listen to my “Thinkup” app and start my day with positive affirmations.  Going to yoga classes was amazing and so very calming and centering for me.  Taking longer walks for exercise always has kept me grounded as well.  Walking gives you time to think and put your thoughts in order.

Tomorrow should be a fun day.  My boyfriend and I share the same birthday.  We celebrated this past weekend with a trip out east on Long Island to go apple picking.  We stopped at a few vineyards along the way enjoying the sunshine, music and some tastings.  At the end of the North Fork is the town of Greenport.  This town is an old seaport which had a strong fishing and whaling industry in the past.  Now the town is crowded with cute shops, fine dining establishments and a sweet old fashioned carousel.

To read more about the North Fork click here: Touring Out East – The North Fork

After a busy day of collecting apples, tasting wine and fine dining we headed back home.

Dating is a good thing!

Hope your fall is full of thoughtful changes as well as pumpkins, apples and pretty colored leaves.