Mom, We're Running Out of August!

 

While I don't remember saying it, my mother told me that I did. We had a calendar in the kitchen, and Mom would cross off the days each morning. I came into the kitchen as she was doing it and saw that there were only a few days left in the month. She told me I said, "Mom, we're running out of August!" She said that she laughed when I said it and that I started to cry. 

The End of August Still Hurts

All these years later, I know my own kids are worried about August ending. Kids all over the country are trying to get the most out of these final days, and it is like Labor Day is – as one of my friends once said – the "Absolutely the worst holiday ever!"

When I was a kid, I felt empowered as school ended in June and my parents took us to our beach house on the Rockaway Peninsula where there were sun kissed sands and a beautiful clean ocean. We had friends there – we called them our "summer friends" – to differentiate between our city friends and school friends. 

Beach Fun and Games

As I went down to the beach and played slap ball (you make bases in the sand and hit the ball with your hand) at low tide. My Mom would sit there talking to other moms, and any time I needed a drink or wanted lunch she was there with a smile. 

After swimming, I recall standing in the surf with a towel wrapped around me staring out at boats on the water. It was the end of June, and I had a whole summer ahead of me. There was nothing like the feeling I had – I was on top of the world and school was but a distant memory. I was free, free, free! 

Ah, the dream of an endless summer! On rainy days I would sit on my covered front porch and read for fun – there's nothing like reading a book for fun rather than for a school assignment. Sometimes I would go to my friends' houses and we'd play Monopoly or Risk for hours on those inclement weather days.

Holding on to Summer

But, as for all kids and former kids, I would mourn the day when Mom turned the calendar to August. I would stand there and see 31 days left, feeling confidant that I still had time, but when Mom started crossing out the days, I would get sick to my stomach each time. 

I remember getting the TV Guide in the mail, and it would be a big special issue with all the new fall TV shows and returning shows. I remember sitting on the porch looking at it and thinking, well this is something good about September. Then I would think about watching Jets games and hoping the Mets would be in the playoffs, and maybe things would be okay. 

Now, as an adult, I don't get TV Guide anymore but do look forward to Jets games, and I'm hoping this year that the Mets find their way and get into the playoffs. My kids are grumbling about going back to school, and I'm going back to work too. Reality rears its truly ugly head, and we have no choice but to look at it.

Enjoy These Final Days

So, wherever you are, enjoy these last few days of August. Jump in the pool, go to the beach, barbecue some hot dogs and hamburgers, and sit on your favorite lounge and read a book. Yeah, we're running out of August like this year and every year before it. 

Goodbye, eighth month of 2025. I really do hate to see you go! Take a listen to the Beach Boys' Endless Summer album. I can listen to it in January, and it takes me right to the surf and sand. Enjoy!