so long sweet summer (haven't I used this title for the past three years?)

And just like *that,* summer is driving away as we linger on the edge of the driveway frantically waving until it's a mere speck in the distance. 

It always starts with the air. I mean, it smells different all of the sudden, you know? 

You find yourself pausing just to breathe deeply the mixture of summer and looming change.

Today on my walk home through the park, I just had to stop what I was doing to park it on a bench and take in the surroundings... how all of the sudden there were brown leaves on the pathway and just a few spiraling gracefully down to the grass below, where a bunny was serenely snacking and a guy enjoyed a nap in the sun.

It was one of those quiet moments where you find yourself happy to be alive, to be sucking the marrow out of this one wild and precious life you've been gifted.

 I'm sure you mommas out there have experiences like this frequently, where you've stepped back to watch your littles and you find yourself astounded and overwhelmed at the enormity and beauty of your charge to grow this little being that you've created.

How amazing that we can walk and breathe and live without fear of condemnation or bombings or being kidnapped because you're a girl in a society that doesn't think girls should be educated!

My thoughts are all starting to run in different directions, and all from the sudden realization of my favorite season about to make its appearance. 

But doesn't that happen to all of us when it's time for change? 

We're leaving for the states next week to celebrate the wedding of my sweet lifelong friend in California. Autumn will be awaiting our return to Frankfurt and summer will be long gone. 

One more week for summery activities. All my teacher-friends, you know what I'm talking about! Squeeze the life out of these last few moments! Go eat a watermelon! Soak up that last bit of sunshine! Because soon it's time for sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes and Nickel Creek.
(Or, in Florida, Gator football and more hot muggy nights until November.)