Today is August 20th, and many will say that the end of summer is nigh. I am not one of them. I find enjoyment in all four seasons, but summer is really special. I revel in those lazy, hazy days of sunshine, and those long, lingering summer evenings. Yes, I know it must come to an end, that it's all part of the cycle of life. Summer must end to make way for fall and winter, and, of course, life must go on. What I don't understand is why it has to be rushed. Summer should be savoured. It should be sipped slowly.
The back-to-school sales seem to be starting earlier and earlier every year. That's the way advertising works. However, the autumnal equinox falls on September 22, 2024. That's over a month away. We actually have more than a month of summer left. What's the rush?
For many, summer ends when school begins. In the province of Ontario, where I've lived all my life, the first day of school is traditionally the Tuesday after Labour Day. Here in Toronto, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) runs from mid-August until Labour Day. When I was a child, the CNE or "the Ex" was summer's swan song, its last blast before the beginning of a new school year.
In other areas, school begins earlier, often the last week of August. For most students, summer ends when school begins, but what about all the people who aren't students or teachers? There is still much to enjoy in the month of September, even if you have returned to school and must concentrate on your studies.
Every moment of summer is precious, and I don't want to waste a single one. I prefer to sip the seasonal elixir for as long as possible.
- Joanne
