Goodbye summer

We’re all feeling a bit deflated, as we always do when it’s time to leave. Tonight after dinner Tommy and Teddy both started sobbing (Tommy much more earnestly than Teddy). The following conversation ensued:

Tommy : “Sniff, it’s just really hard to leave Vermont. It’s so beyootifullll!” {Pitiful sobs.}

Teddy: “I’ll miss catching DOODie-LOODies in the POND!” {He’s big on emphasis these days – and on catching salamanders.}

Tommy: “Me too! I’ll miss catching things. And it rained so much. We didn’t get to see many sunsets!” {Hysterical crying.}

Teddy: “Little chick says PEEP!”

Tommy: “It just seemed shorter, that’s all, because it rained and we didn’t get to the swimming hole that much.”

He’s right. The rain did make this trip seem shorter and perhaps just a bit less satisfying than normal. But happily, it rained very little for the past few days and we were able to do many of the things that we love: bike riding, long walks, and a good, bone-chilling swim in the river. Well, I didn’t swim, but Matt and Tommy did and we all enjoyed the swimming hole for several hours today.

And Tommy’s sorrow was justified. In fact, the entire exchange I recorded above took place in the car as we were driving through one of those glorious late-summer Vermont evenings that always make me want to pitch a tent and stay here forever. As Tommy finished speaking, Matt pointed out a layer of dark clouds tinged pink at the edges. Suddenly, a hole appeared in one of them; sunlight poured through. The entire landscape was molten. Golden hay rolls sat in the glimmering fields and the air was crisp and delicious.

“Well,” Tommy said, sniffling, “Delaware is pretty nice too. I just love Vermont.”

So do I, Tommy, so do I.