It’s Coming….

August 22nd, 2011

This summer I have had the pleasure of teaching a Young Authors Workshop to two very gifted nine year olds. I held it in my home, out in my summer room one evening a week. My first year of retirement I didn’t miss teaching at all, but this past year I missed teaching children a lot. Then there were some parents in my yoga class that had gifted children and wanted someone to work with them all summer. I agreed to do it and designed a creative writing program.

My two charges, a boy and a girl, were absolutely delightful to work with. They were not only exceptionally gifted, but also funny…… Ironically, just now when I wrote the word “funny”, an email came in from the little girl’s mom warning me that her daughter is into pranking lately and tonight she left fake dog poop in my garage! The mom was apologetic and hoped I’d get the email before discovering the fake doo. She asked me if I’d keep it until she could “pick up the poop”!

That’s what I miss. The unexpected moments the children always gave me. Their unique perceptions of the world. I miss learning from them. I give gratitude that God provided that for me this summer.

Summer. When the girl’s father picked her up we were talking about school starting in 7 days. Summer is almost gone and fall really is on our doorstep just knocking to get in. When they left tonight, and I was cleaning up the room, it felt like the last day of school. The pangs of something cherished being over. The crisp night air telling me change is in progress. I have a hard time with change, but I don’t fear it or hate it. It’s not like loss. Loss hurts; holds no promise. Change is full of promise of new things to come with a new season, after the “Oh…” of nostalgia wanes.

And so, as another day goes by, I stand here with one foot still in summer and the other stepping into fall, and..I have written.