The other day, I overheard someone say: “August is gone.  I can’t believe it!”

Why is it that we are stunned when the summer ends–as if we expected the hot days and long evenings to go on forever.  In Minnesota, summer is our time of freedom from bitter cold, mountains of snow, layers and layers of winter clothing, and the hazard of walking and driving on ice.  Summer is green and bright–concerts by the lake, long walks, swimming, ice cream…

We’re never surprised  when winter ends–winter is always long enough, much longer than enough…

I hear the same surprise about growing older.  Looking into the mirror, we notice gray hairs, wrinkles, jowls …  Why are we surprised? 

Aug 27, 2013