Goodbye to Summer, Part Two

If you’re a teacher, you know that August brings about a difficult transition. Gone are the days of sunshine and reading, socializing and napping. With August comes a switch from sleeping in until eight a.m. to getting up at the crack of dawn. August means saying goodbye to hanging out with friends on any night of the week, of Netflix binging, and of being able to drink water whenever you want (it’s the simple things, everyone!).

Sure, summer as a teacher isn’t all relaxation. We’re busy going to grad classes, lesson planning, and even getting our classrooms ready. Still, the summer affords a calmer, slower paced living than we can ever dream of during the school year.

So today, my last day of summer, is a bittersweet moment. I’m sad to be leaving Henry tomorrow, to not be able to watch the Today Show, to potentially suffer dehydration because I don’t get to pee whenever I want anymore. I’m sad that instead of my evenings consisting of impromptu fun times with friends and trips for ice cream, they will consist of grading papers and lesson planning. I’m sad to exchange my binge reading for rereading books I’m teaching.

But I’m also excited. For teachers, the start of the school year is the same as New Year’s. It’s a chance to start fresh, to be better than last year. It’s a chance to meet new students, to get the opportunity to inspire, to encourage, to motivate. It’s a feeling of “what’s going to happen this year?” What milestones will I face? I do feel ready to get back in front of that classroom and talk about what I love most: books and writing.

It’s been a wonderful summer for me with many great moments. There was the trip to Virginia for my first out of state book signing. There was Ocean City, Daniel Tosh, two zoos. I had my first trip to the spa, Henry’s first baseball game, and a new kitten named Marjorie to add to our cat hoard. I had dozens of books and hours on my deck. I enjoyed talking to readers of my debut novel, including readers from other countries! There were wing offs and small road trips, picnics and parties. I’ve spent time with some great friends and family.

But I know there are things to look forward to with the start of fall. There are birthdays and holidays coming up. There are pumpkin gobs at our town’s pumpkin fest. There are scarves and boots, and some exciting trips planned. Most of all,  I now have a second novel that will be released in the near future, which is super exciting! There will be cover reveals and release parties, book signings (hopefully) and the rush of getting another book published.

So yes, I’m feeling a little blue today. But I’m shaking it off. Because I know there are amazing things coming.

Lindsay Detwiler, author

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