September: A Time of Transition
Although calendars mark January as the start of a new year, many believe September is where the true year begins. The air grows crisp, kids get new school shoes, and life's pace picks up after a long summer's lull. Each month carries its own unique vibe. November and December, with their holidays, feel warm and cozy. April, despite the lingering snow, radiates spring, and June pulsates with wedding and graduation energy.
September, for me, has a bittersweet essence. It marks the time when lawns need less mowing, leaves start their slow color change, and darkness falls earlier and stays longer. September signifies the beginning of the new school year, making it a month of both endings and beginnings.
The Back-to-School Blues
Returning to school can make September a bit difficult. Growing up, the excitement of a new school year stemmed from getting new clothes and seeing friends. But after the second day, the thrill faded.
My sons, when they were younger, didn't even enjoy buying back-to-school clothes. Neither showed much enthusiasm for spending their days in a classroom, though that attitude softened as they grew older. Then, in a blink, it was time for college. Dropping off a five-year-old for their first day of kindergarten was tough, but college was a whole new level of trauma.
Living in a college town, we couldn't escape the lines of parents dropping off their offspring at the dorms. Even though it's been years since our kids were in college, I remember the mixed emotions that came with paying that first tuition bill.
You're happy they're pursuing their education while wondering if they'll ever choose a major that will support them. You're sad because a college-age child means you're getting older too. You're emotional because, despite the brave face you put on, your baby is leaving, and things will never be the same again.
But, like all parents, we put on a brave face, especially in front of our college students. We don't want them to think we're not thrilled about their newfound adulthood. Plus, the empty nest becomes surprisingly comfortable when you realize the extra closet space you've gained.
A Soundtrack for September
There's a reason so many songs are written about September. Most capture that bittersweet feeling, like Neil Diamond's 'September Morn' and the classic 'Try to Remember the Kind of September' from the musical 'The Fantastiks.'
Unless I'm in the mood for a good cry, I avoid those songs. They remind me too sharply that September is a bridge between summer and fall, a bridge leading to an inevitable winter.
If you want to get really gloomy about it, September can be likened to late middle age, and that winter on the horizon looks a lot like death. But, there's another song about September that's a guaranteed antidote for any blues the month might bring. For anyone suffering from back-to-school woes, empty nest syndrome, or plain old hay fever, I suggest watching Earth, Wind and Fire's video for their hit song 'September' on YouTube. By the end, you'll be smiling. At least for a while.
Embracing the September Vibe
Ultimately, September is a time for reflection. It's a month that reminds us of the cyclical nature of life, the constant flow of endings and beginnings. It's a time to acknowledge the beauty of the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. So, let's celebrate the bittersweetness of September, with its crisp air, changing leaves, and the anticipation of the seasons to come.
