August…

This is going to be a short blog for a number of reasons but the biggest is because it’s a hot August Sunday and I want to get outside to do things!

I’ve always thought of August as a fascinating month. In the retail world the stores have their back to school sales on and I’ve already seen fall and Hallowe’en decor on some shelves. It’s generally, in my area of the world, a hot and humid month. Along with the heat though, there’s also the acknowledgement that this, too, shall pass. When the wind picks up there are more yellowing leaves falling into my pool. Days are noticeably shorter. Now when I swim around 5 a.m., it’s pitch black out.

September is the start of a new fiscal year where I work. It fits for me as it’s one of my favourite months. My favourite time of year is fall and if I had my way we’d have a solid three months of crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Nowadays, September is often still hot but it still speaks to me. It’s the start of something fresh - new school year, new fiscal year, a time for new plans and goals. This year is especially poignant given my upcoming retirement.

But August. Wow! It holds so much. It feels like I’m rushing as I try to finish my summer plans, take the last of my holidays and make new plans for next year. This year it’s something bigger. My “new year” will only last two months and then … new adventures. Retirement looms with excitement and challenge.

I’ve noticed recently that I’ve been panicky a lot. It didn’t make sense to me until I took time yesterday to rest my mind and let myself open. What I realized is that this August feels different because I know it’s all coming to an end. After more than 25 years in this company, I am soon going to wake up and not log in on the company computer. I am going to not join my regular meetings. I am going to not guide a team of people I’ve really come to admire. I am going to not get pinged by my friends in the company who are looking for information or asking for some help or assigning me a task or just saying hi. It’s the realization that soon what I have to give to the company will no longer be relevant. Life at the company will roll on and I will become part of the past. That’s a bit of a hit to an ego, let me tell you. Oh, I know that my team will miss me - for a minute. They’re going to be busy doing their work and acclimating to my replacement. Before long it will be days and weeks and months before I come to mind. My friends? Well, that’s a little easier as I know we’ll stay in touch but I’ll miss those quick connections during a work day. My schedule will now be at odds to theirs.

New adventures are great and I’m truly looking forward. However, I’m also taking the time to look back. The older I get, the more I understand the expression that time passes quickly. When we’re young, we don’t see it - we dream of becoming adults or getting that new item for which we’re saving; we dream of the job and the house. Now I’m staring at 25 and 1/2 years that have passed in a blink of an eye.

I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of amazing people and a few that I won’t miss. I’ve worked hard and did not achieve all that I wanted but am proud of what I’ve done. I’m also looking back at summers watching my son grow up, planes flying and barbecues with friends. And now, it’s time to look forward. As it stands today, my time with the company will end one day later than expected. I’ll be travelling at the end - something for which I’m truly grateful. I get one last opportunity to connect with interesting, smart people before saying goodbye. Beyond that is a chance to embark on a newly discovered passion. [Watch for an upcoming “passion” blog - it’s been a couple of years in the making and has changed its tone a few times!]

As you step through August this year, don’t look too far forward. Soak in the summer, the family and friends surrounding you and all the wonders that we have available. Pat yourself on the back for your resilience, your drive and your hopes for the new year. Look at your children and celebrate this time with them before they return to school and your family to your crazy schedules. Sit quietly and look around at all you’ve achieved. Give yourself a hug. As insane as this world can be, August is the perfect month to soak up all of the good.

I went to the office one day last week and enjoyed a lunchtime walk. I can honestly say this is one of the things I miss about working from home - we have a beautiful capital city. This is at the Rideau Canal lock where it meets the Ottawa River.

My mom had the coolest experience this summer. A mourning dove made herself at home in one of my mom’s hanging planters and hatched two babies. This is from two days before they finally flew off!

I moved my African violet a few months ago to a new window and am thrilled to showcase its blooms! It is finally living in the perfect spot. When I took this picture there were ten more buds waiting to open!