It's over~

I had my annual school starts soon dream last night.

At the end of every summer, several days before school is to resume, I have vivid dreams. This is typical, and similar to the way a pregnant woman dreams she has lost her child, or has forgotten to feed the baby who is now a parched leaf on the kitchen floor that she is sweeping out the door, all the while knowing that something is terribly wrong.

In last night's dream, I was driving my truck somewhere. Out my window I saw the most beautiful view; everything that is beautiful in nature was in the scene that unfolded as I drove: mountains, a waterfall, mist, cumulous clouds, vivid colors and pastels. Sunrays slanted across the view.

I had my camera with me and wanted to get a picture. I stepped on the brake to slow and pull off the road, but the truck didn't respond. I pushed harder, and harder on the brake pedal, nearly standing in my seat, but the truck kept barreling along.

The view grew more and more beautiful as I raced past, and I was torn between keeping my eyes on the road and staring at the beauty. I was desperate to stop and capture the most beautiful scene I'd ever witnessed.

Finally the truck began to slow, but by then the view was mostly behind me. I thought, I'll stop and get out, and walk back to take some pictures. But when the truck stopped, the sunlight had dimmed. The scene looked ordinary, and too far away. It was too late.

Ahhh, all things must end, and so my lazy summer of wandering with my camera is over. I have two days of meetings with teachers and administrators, and then the kids arrive.

The annual fall excitement fills the air. I'll adjust to a tighter schedule, setting my alarm, eating on schedule, and going to bed earlier, and I'll still travel with my camera and snap pictures of the New England autumn-- on the weekends.