I think of my life in seasons more and more as time goes on. I sometimes feel this sense of invisibility as one leads into another. Hiking season is precious to me, providing lots of solace to a weary spirit. It stretches out before me toward the end of spring and then seems  be cut off abruptly when August demands its due and the start of school begins. But there is much to look back on, remember, and smile about. And we have yet another week to make one more climb into wild flowers, flowing creeks, and rugged beauty as far as can be seen.

I’m past ready for a break from the constant heat and too little moisture. I’m more than ready to check back in with my students, find out how their summers were, how their families are, and what adventures they may have had. I look forward to the “Mrs. G., I don’t get this,” or the “Great knock-knock joke, Mrs. G.”

My snow shoes are right where I can pull them out for a day trip somewhere close by. And we do have a fall hike day planned that isn’t so very far away. Take hold of what is here and now and the joy in the little blessings of every day. Be kind. Love well. Hike on, wherever the path leads.