A breath of fresh air
That is what I said to myself as I drew back the curtains this morning. It’s the first time this summer that I’ve felt a refreshing cold wind rather than the warm westerly wind. However, I realised that, by 9 o’clock, with the sun well-risen in the sky, we were in for another scorching hot day. We’re at the point of all change as this week is the last one of the summer holidays. There will be many long faces and possibly bad attitudes by young and old as school and work and Monday morning routines will have to be picked up again. Haven’t the weeks flown by quickly!
This week my garden gave me the inspiration for this reflection. Although we have all enjoyed the beautiful weather, I am aware of the effect of a continual, sustained period of pressure, whatever that pressure might be. We’ve had a summer of hot, dry weather, broken only by short periods of cooler weather and rain. The garden wilted at the beginning of this week, the leaves on trees and shrubs hung limply on branches, and summer flowers were over quickly, leaving a varied show of seed heads. However, each morning, the drooping leaves had been revived by the dew until one morning the dew hadn’t been sufficient, and they still hung limply. What they needed was a good downpour that would penetrate the soil to the roots. I had no alternative but to get the hosepipe out as no rain was forecast.
Upon reflection, I realised how even good things need to come to an end, summer holidays being one of them. On the whole, routines change, the mundane can feel like just jogging along, and a return to normal, if not welcomed, is much needed. I commented to a friend this week how, even in the returning to normal, we need to plan times to look forward to, whether they be days out, meeting friends, having a short autumn or winter break, in order to remain refreshed when the dark evenings come, routines become a chore, and we lose our joy. We always have the opportunity to make something good and worthwhile.
Upon reflection, I realised how even good things need to come to an end, summer holidays being one of them. On the whole, routines change, the mundane can feel like just jogging along, and a return to normal, if not welcomed, is much needed. I commented to a friend this week how, even in the returning to normal, we need to plan times to look forward to, whether they be days out, meeting friends, having a short autumn or winter break, in order to remain refreshed when the dark evenings come, routines become a chore, and we lose our joy. We always have the opportunity to make something good and worthwhile.
Merle Sparkes
