August is winding down.  During the past three months, the people of Edmonds have experienced a heat wave, rain showers, community festivals, minus tides, outdoor concerts and summer markets.

They’ve taken ferry rides, gone on camping trips and mountain hikes, enjoyed colorful gardens and exquisite sunsets.  I wonder whether most people end the summer looking back with satisfaction.

Do they revel in the awareness that they met each day with energy and enthusiasm?  Or do they reflect on how many of their summer plans never materialized and how many days held disappointment?

If I could find the list I made in late May of Things To Do This Summer, I hope I could skim the list with satisfaction: Check, check.  Did that, did that. I think most of the things I listed were simple, having to do with driving to Idaho to visit my son and family, spending time with baby Adam and his parents, growing flowers in pots on my deck, writing poetry, reading on the beach, walking miles each day, visiting special friends.  I did some of those things.  Others, no.

For one thing, it seems as if every time I’ve gotten over one summer cold, the next one has been waiting for me.  I’d far sooner feel unwell when it’s gray and cold, not sunny and warm.  Summer is no time to wrap up in a quilt and sip hot tea.

Of course, I had a wonderful trip to the Oregon coast with my grandchildren and their moms.  Perfectly lovely time.  The trip was the most important event on my summer list:  Check.  Did that. And I did a number of other positive and pleasant things, too.  Most of what I did was for me, though.

I wish that this summer I had helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve a dream—and that I made sure that nobody else knew I did it.  And I wish I had made an effort in a difficult situation instead of walking away, reached out instead of pretending I saw no need. 

I’m going to work on that. Right now, though, I’m focusing on the gratitude I feel for this life, for the people in my life, for all the freedoms and privileges I too often take for granted.

Please:  As you shop for back-to-school for your kids, buy some things for someone else’s young one, too. Your child can help shop and go with you to deliver items to Clothes for Kids or other organization. You’ll be teaching your children generosity and kindness, and isn’t that a great way to start off the school year?

Note:  Several weeks ago some misguided, mean-spirited individual(s) stole the bench from the sidewalk by Olympic View Apts, 303 Howell Way. 

The seniors who live there enjoyed the bench daily and were dismayed that anyone would steal it.  They have a new bench now—with a chain on it.

Still, I’ll bet residents would be delighted some morning to find the old bench returned.
I hope that happens.