The end of an odd summer indeed. None of the signs and symbols of a classic summer were present. Little socializing, closed beaches, empty bars and restaurants. Yet one could not say nothing had happened. Everything seemed to be happening at once in the continual chaos that has plagued the cities and towns. Too much happened and yet none of the right things occurred.

Will people remember this summer or will it be blocked from memory? I think it will be remembered. Most people can probably describe it as traumatic in one way or another. A giant experiment in social distancing. Days spent within the confines of apartment walls. The normalcy of everyday life completely absent.

My friend today said she thought things are normal, but people just don’t realize it. They are caught up in whirlwind of agitation. A consistent one steadily fed to them. If only people could just realize nothing much was happening in their day-to-day lives. Then we could all be normal again together.

A lost spring and summer is a sad thing. I don’t intend for the fall to be lost. The lock down was not a complete waste of time. It was an opportunity to accomplish to do lists, to make transitions in life. But there is more to life than fulfilled tasks and well thought out plans. Let the fall be a return to normal. I will seek out my friends more often as I normally do. I will attend Church every week as I normally do. I will take time to visit the natural areas in my city and leave the city for the wilderness as I normally do.

Yes, let us all strive for a very normal fall.