So Long to Summer

This is not my final blog entry of the summer. No, I still have many adventures to report, including the release of turtles into the wild, swimming lessons, more surfing, a pirate adventure, and a surrey ride for nine down the boardwalk. As summer comes to an end, I have so many stories to tell. Yet, I felt that I must commemorate the end of the season with an official goodbye today, Labor Day.

Our summer ended with a frenetic burst of activity--frequent trips back home for soccer practice for the boys, a houseful of guests as Grandma and Grandpa flew up from Texas to experience the New Jersey shore firsthand and were joined by Colleen and Brian, and a series of "last times" and "last chances" before autumn's arrival.

We seemed to not be the only ones trying to soak in the last remnants of summer. Ocean City exploded with people and activity. My Dad suggested I attach a spear to the front of my stroller to motivate slow walkers on the boardwalk to get out of the way. We joined the masses for several trips to the boardwalk this last weekend, scarfing up Johnson's Popcorn and Ike's Crab Cakes, going for one last whirl at the Wonderland Pier, pedaling back and forth on a surrey, and surfing, surfing, surfing at the 7th Street Beach. Our busy last days of summer were followed by fun family dinners, slow walks for ice cream and quiet, cool evenings on our front porch.

The end of summer came with what seemed like the flip of a switch. The crowds emptied, our guests drove away, and the hum of the washer and dryer honed on. We feel just a little bit sad, as most do as they realize a much anticipated, much planned for event is now over. After all our waiting and planning, all our fun, after all that has happened, summer is over now.

Will cried today as he realized our beach time would be relegated to weekend trips that we are able to squeeze in between soccer game and birthday parties. Craig frequently reminds us that we don't have to lament over a "last time" of doing anything at the shore--since we own a home here, we can come whenever we want. But I understand how Will feels. We won't have another stretch of time here at the shore until next June. We've enjoyed the family time and I, for one, feel a renewed closeness with my husband and kids. We've spent a summer together and have learned the ropes of shore living. I'll miss our morning bike rides, afternoons on the beach, shell seeking and wave riding.

I never want to wish my life away. As one phase, one time, one event ends, there is always something else to look forward to. School and soccer games start this week. The boys will be reunited with their buddies. We'll return to our house in Pennsylvania, with our own swing set in the back yard and a little room to spread out. We'll start swimming lessons, and trips to the library, and playdates with friends we haven't seen for months.

Yes, the arrival of fall is bittersweet.

After dinner tonight, we took one last family trip to the playground. The 51st Street playground, known in our circle as the "Playground with the Fish" was the destination of Carter's choice. On our drive down West Avenue, we noticed the empty streets, the dark houses. The playground, usually spilling over with children, was empty. Even the weather seemed to welcome in the fall--we shivered in our shorts and flip flops and we noticed the dog walkers bundled in jeans in fluffy sweatshirts.

We'll head home tomorrow. But our adventure at the shore is far from over. We'll be back. Devotees of the NJ shore know that September and October are prime months here--warm water and no crowds. Stay tuned. I'll have more stories to tell.