The crickets sang in the grasses. They sang the song of summer’s ending, a sad, monotonous song. “Summer is over and gone,” they sang. “Over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying.”
The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year — the days when summer is changing into fall the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.
Everybody heard the song of the crickets. Avery and Fern Arable heard it as the walked the dusty road. They knew that school would soon begin again. The young geese heard it and knew that they would never be little goslings again. Charlotte heard it and knew that she hadn’t much time left. Mrs. Zuckerman, at work in the kitchen, heard the crickets, and a sadness came over her, too. “Another summer gone,” she sighed. Lurvy, at work building a crate for Wilbur, heard the song and knew it was time to dig potatoes.
“Summer is over and gone,” repeated the crickets. “How many nights till frost?” sang the crickets. “Good-bye, summer, good-bye, good-bye!”
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Chapter 15: “The Crickets”
I grieve, in a sense, of saying good-bye to Summer every single year. I love and adore the lushness of summer. Of life and celebration. Of sitting under my favorite tree and feeling the warmth of the sun upon my face. Of warm nights, sitting on my porch watching the fireflies dance to tuning into the late summer’s song of the cicadas and crickets.
Just as I was celebrating and expanding into summer’s lush fullness, I was also contracting into the shorter days that will and has reached a decrescendo. When autumn also hands over the baton to winter.
Autumn has been breathing inside summer’s alive, lush celebration all along.
This summer has been so very good to me and my heart is grateful. From finishing a 17 week certification program ( Enhanced Youth Recovery CRS - Certified Recovery Specialist), to a 21 day green smoothie challenge that gave me the morning routine I have battled with for decades to watching my daughter graduate high school, get her first car and her first job and also begin college.
It has also given me something far more precious. It has re-ignited my Creative Fire, my Maiden Song and my Wild, Authentic Voice.
Yes, summer has been so very good to me.
With all the gifts of summer, it has also been tinged with the Autumn of My Mind. Of letting go, saying good-bye and transitioning just as this “Season of Letting Go” is well known for. This colorful tapestry of golden yellow, red, orange and brown breathes new life into a heart that I felt was lost, broken and withering away.
This letting go began early in 2015 when I got my heart broken (not related to a romantic break as I am happily married) and then several months after, receiving startling news in regards to my health.
I have had to dig deep and honestly look within myself in ways that I have chosen to sweep under the rug longer than I care to admit.
It took the warmth of summer to connect, re-connect and begin to listen to my own spirit song. It is the music I have shut off for far too long and I began to tune into the melody of my soul.
Excerpts from my personal journal:
The Autumn of My Mind