Here it is.
I am.
At the end of a long summer.

I arrived here with the spring's first budding.
The green leaves - are now - preparing themselves for fall.
The corn that began as seeds....is now readying itself for reaping.
The season's first calves are old enough for milking.
Every day is shorter than the one that came before.

I had long lists. I had big plans. I had so many things I was going to get done and accomplish. None of which - I- actually did.

And still - here it is. Here I am.

I painted. I wrote. I hiked. I swam.
I saluted the sun as it rose in the morning....and tucked it safely to bed at night.
On some very lucky days - rainbows filled the sky. I chased them.

It's been a summer of light....and of clouds.
It's been one of forgiveness....of surrender....of acceptance.
It's been about friends - new and old. And family. I am forever grateful for all of that.

As I read back to my summer's beginnings - my words speak to the weight of sadness...to all that I was carrying...and all that I needed to let go.

One of the gifts of this practice of re-turning and re-peating and beginning each and every new day again and again - is that it allows me to look and to see....to listen and to really hear.
I see growth. I hear change. I feel myself lighter and brighter and smiling.

Here in these mountains - I've re-connected.
To my father's love of this lush land. To my mother's life - as she lived it.
To the child that once was...and all that I am and in process of becoming.
Today.

I began with a heart clenched and tightly closed. As if to protect itself from the pain.
I end with a heart wide open. Softer and stronger. Eager and willing. Ready.

When asked - how was my summer?
I look to that heart. It holds the answers.

This was the summer I learned - once and again - to love...to feel....to breathe.
Long and slow and deep.

I began with tears in my eyes.
I end with a smile in my heart.

I'll always remember.
This summer.