Tomorrow my children will be going back to school. I will, no doubt, be experiencing a mix of emotions as I do the school run: sadness (I want to have more fun with them!), worry (will they get on okay in their new year?) and a touch of relief (I desperately need some quiet hours to myself to catch up with my publishing work) as well as the usual overwhelm that the school run social niceties and small talk cause me as an HSP.
Anyway, I will get through it. And my children will, no doubt, manage. But, again, it is an obvious end to the summer and the freedom (and fun) that it brings all of us. And when good things come to an end there is a certain amount of sadness. So, I will feel the sadness, say hello to it, and then get on with things. I will say goodbye to it when I am ready.
So on that note, I will leave you with one of my (somewhat bittersweet) poems. It was recently published in this lovely pamphlet: Food & Drink – Bramley Apple Festival Poems, 2015.
If you write poetry I would definitely encourage you to enter the annual Bramley Apple Festival poetry competition – it is free to enter and the organizers are friendly and helpful. There really is nothing to lose! Here is a PDF with all the info:
2016 ‘Green’ Bramley Apple Festival Poetry Competition leaflets
Whatever you are doing tomorrow, I hope it brings you a little sweet ‘something’. Amidst the sadness I will enjoy having a creamy coffee and listening the stillness of the house. And after school, who knows, maybe we will go for an ice cream. But what flavour to choose…?
p.s. A huge welcome back to Maddy (and all) at ‘What I’m Writing’. 🙂
As someone who ate a lot of ice-cream this summer, I loved your ice-cream poem! The going-back-to-school is always bittersweet, isn’t it? But most of all I’m feeling optimistic and excited for new projects, and a little bit more time to myself…
Thank you! Yes, the return to school is definitely a bittersweet time but, yes, there is some excitement in the air too re: new creative projects. 🙂
I adore your illustrations! And the poem is beautiful too…a real sense of nostalgia, and yearning. I don’t have any kids at home now, but I remember that end-of-summer feeling so well!
Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂 I’m sure that when my children are no longer at home I’ll still remember that feeling too. I think my mum still does – and she still recalls how much she missed me when I was at school. Aw. I’m tearing up just thinking about it! Anyway, thanks for stopping by. M x
I love that poem, though I may be biased because mint choc chip was always my favourite!
Thank you Nicola. 🙂 Mint choc chip appears to be a favourite around here!
Oh what a wonderful poem – it reminds me so much of my childhood too, and how much of a treat it was to have real cones from the shop!
Thanks Carie. Yes, I know what you mean about the ‘real’ cones. Such a treat! 🙂
Love your drawings and the poem! I’ve had a funny old day – high as a kite at some points, totally heart melty at others and close to tears at still others. It’s a funny time of year! I’ve always been a fan of autumn though so that helps. I start thinking about fires in the evenings and cuddly jumpers and beautiful autumnal walks. Hope it all goes well tomorrow. Thanks for linking to #WhatImWriting xxx
Thanks for your kind words, Maddy. 🙂 The first day back was remarkably calm, and it went smoothly. The second day we started to get grumbles… and I was reminded of all the stuff I’d been through last year with my youngest (his start to school life in reception was a bit up and down). Ah well, onwards and upwards. Only 6 weeks until the half term! He he!
LOVE THIS! what a brilliant post! You captured my feelings completely too! Having just spent a week in Italy I’ve seen my kids eat several ‘gelato’ so your illustrations were a lovely reminder. Although I’m not a huge ice cream eater – I do love a salted caramel from our local Ice cream parlour up the road. Thanks for a lovely read of you poem. #whatimwriting
Thank you very much! So glad you can empathise with my feelings. 🙂 Ah, gelato… and salted caramel… yum yum… 😉
New term is almost a biorhythm. That transition from sloppy, bland indulgence to ruled margins and sharp pencils always seems natural and timely.
Yes, that’s right, Ana. It does seem like a timely and natural rhythm, though getting into the ‘swing’ of things can still flummox me…
Oh Marija, I know that bittersweet feeling when the summer holidays are over. I hope tomorrow is okay for all of you.
My boy is home for another week, then he is moving on to another phase of his life as he will now be studying A Levels…my how time has flown!
I will be thinking about you enjoyjng your creamy coffee with a bit of peace and quiet and try not to feel too sad, as it is just the ebb and flow of life.
Much love, J xxxx
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jane. 🙂 You know, I really appreciated them; when I was sad on those first few days when my children were back at school I held on to the knowledge that I had a kind friend or two who was thinking about me.
I really hope your boy has a smooth transition into his next phase of life. And I’m glad you like the poem and paintings. Sending love. xx
You are welcome Marija, times like that can be hard. James has settled into college very well, he is loving it! Have a great weekend xx
Meant to say, love the poem and paintings! xx
Love the poem (and the sentiments behind it). I was always devastated when my children had to go back to school.
#WhatImWriting
Thank you Suzie for your kind words. Yes, my children being back at school (and all the socializing/homework/clubs that entails as well!) is definitely an adjustment. And I’m not particularly good at adjustments…
Oh I love a good shape poem! And mint choc chip w my favourite ice-cream as a kid – it was the most interesting – too many flavours to choose a favourite now, it’s overwhelming! You sister really made it? Wow.
I am both loving that the school term has started and missing my son terribly. First day was very hard for him – new class, new teacher, being back in the class with 29 other kids… The morning was hard as he was so overwhelmed but yesterday was much better.. Luckily his new teacher is very understanding! 🙂
Ah ha – another mint choc chip lover! I’m in good company here. 😉
I’m sorry to hear that the first day back was overwhelming for your son (is he an HSP, like you?). But I’m glad that the next day was better. I do find transitions hard myself, and I wonder whether lots of other HSPs do too…? Anyway, thanks for stopping by. And by the way, I loved listening to you reading your poem. So moving. M x
Oh yes he is definitely an HSP! He’s much happier now that he knows what to expect from the new teacher. 🙂
Glad your enjoyed my poem too! x
Lovely poem. The house must feel so quiet but i suppose it’s all about new routines and life. The summer is so freeing
Mint chocolate is my favourite too #whatimwriting
Thank you! Yes, the house is quiet… that’s one positive! But you’re right. Life is all about change, and at least I can recognise that I find change hard. Thanks for stopping by.
Lovely poem 🙂 Arthur has discovered ice-cream for the first time this summer, and the mix of utter joy when he’s eating it and desolation as it’s coming to an end is very familiar… I am very much looking forward to a new creativity drive this autumn – Arthur’s still at home with us, but Leigh is going to be hanging out with him two days a week which is going to give me more time than I fear I’ll know what to do with!
Ah, how wonderful! Discovering ice cream for the first time. Bliss! Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new creativity drive, and I’m sure you’ll fill those two days a week no problem. 🙂
I LOVED this poem, so clever. With you on the back-to-school vibe. No more lazy mornings, and pottering about. But it’s great to have a difference sense of freedom – the extra time to be selfish will be bliss! #whatimwriting
Thank you Jude for stopping by, and for your kind words. Yes, I will enjoy having some time to myself. I definitely appreciate the quietness of the hours when my children are at school. 🙂
I loved this post! it captured all the turmoil as the end of august sneaked in in showers humidity, showers mor showers and then a deluge. My eyes were less than dry as I headed to school. I slurped my first coffee, hit the decks running with year 11 and its as if summer had never happened! Writer head is hibernating, tea her head is suffering i somnia. Im. Even dreaming about wall displays and self assessing the funeral I ate ded over the weekend. After a quiet summer writing the noise level was unbearable in the public spaces, and then i was back in the swing of new books timetables new pencils pens and the glitches as the timetable clashed! 1 down 7 to go!
No problem about the typos! I can imagine that you must be really tired after all that’s been going on. I wonder, though, if you’ll get your writer head out of hibernation any time soon…? Or does that have to wait for a bit? Or will more coffee help to find some extra energy for you to write in slivers of spare time?
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I began something yesterday but couldnt finish
Well I’m glad that you managed to start something. 🙂 That’s half the battle won! Hope you have a good week ahead of you. M x
Sorry for typos…. Sooooooo tired!
I was actually sat here reading this eating an ice cream! I love this poem and your illustrations too. I’m not usually worried for back to school time, mostly excited, but this year is the first year my daughter is there on her own as her cousin has just moved school. She is also year 6 and I’m worried she is just not ready yet #whatimwriting
That’s so funny! Was it a mint choc chip ice cream?!
I can certainly empathise with your worry, and I do hope that your daughter adjusts to the change. Sending best wishes your way! M x
Back to school is such a mix of emotions isn’t it? Bittersweet I suppose, plus a dash of anxiety. I’ve been finding it rather overwhelming and it drains the soul. But I’m giving myself time, as I hope you are. I love the poem, I was a mint choc chip fan too! xx