They Said Goodbye

As they end their search for fireflies with only three in the jar I realize summer is nearing its end. The signs are all around me. How did I miss them creeping up? The tiger lilies that proudly lined the driveway, greeting each guest with a brilliant show of color, are now nothing more than green swords waving at the kids as they ride their bikes past. The once bright orange blooms are lying on the ground crisp and brown waiting for the next good breeze to take them on their first (and last) journey. The neighbors tree is starting to change into it's Autumn wardrobe already. Its uppermost leaves shimmering in the sun an almost exotic combination of reds and oranges. Its message reads as clear as if it were a billboard: ''SLOW DOWN- Summer ending soon! '' I see even the kids are showing signs of Falls quick approach. They're losing that spring in their step and now are moving along at half-pace. They seem to sense the upcoming school year and I can see the dread in their eyes as if they're losing their best friend and there's nothing they can do about it. With a look of hopelessness I watch them open up their jar to release the three fireflies. But, unlike their usual releases where they tip the jar upside-down and shake the creatures out, this time they just removed the lid and set the jar on the picnic table. They sat there patiently watching until the last firefly had found its way out. It was as if they knew this would be the last time they caught them until next year and they needed time to say goodbye.