Today, in my second-to-last week of summer, I'm trying to soak in this feeling of peace. Soon life will be much fuller, and I'm not sure if I'll be ready for it. Though I have not often managed throughout the summer to silence the call for productivity and busyness (ever present in my mind), I have still taken plenty of time for complete leisure, relaxation, even laziness. Now I try not to think of the tasks I have not crossed off the never-ending to-do list, but instead I think of the ways I have indulged in a slower pace of life. Looking back on the summer, it seems like I did indeed have that elusive slower-paced life -- even if it didn't always feel that way -- and I am thankful.
I'm also trying to be content in the moment (so hard for me to do), knowing that in a few months I'll be longing for days like today, where I had plenty of time for many of my favorite things. This feeling of end-of-summer contentment, anticipating a change, could be summed up in a moment from this afternoon: when I stood in the open doorway of our new apartment, looking out, barefoot, eating a fresh nectarine with juice dripping from my fingers. Looking forward, feeling the sun and the breeze and the sweet air, tasting the goodness of life. This is the summertime way.
