It is the first week of August, so it is the time for summer melancholy. My wife is ready to go back to school as a teacher, and my children will be starting shortly after. Summer is not at an end, but I feel the sand passing out of the hourglass. I want to make the most out of the time that I have left.
In many ways this is also the feeling of midlife. It is the feeling of my children growing up. On one hand we have time, but on the other I know every day that passes is one less that we will have together. Having young children can be overwhelming, but the idea that they will grow up can be even more overwhelming. Today at church my nine-year-old daughter snuggled into my side during the priest’s homily. I wonder how much longer she will want to do that. I am excited to see her grow up into the beautiful women I know she will be, but I don’t want to lose my little girl.
I know the answer is that every day is a gift from God. I can’t waste my days worrying about the past or what will happen in the future. As a father and a man I need to live the day that I have, and not let summer melancholy over take me. Autum and Winter are beautiful too.
