Another year has ended.  Another class has moved into adulthood, and three more have stepped closer to it.  Another summer begins.

For many students, this marks the beginning of a few weeks of relaxation — barbecues, beach or mountain trips, or lazy evenings spent watching concerts or baseball games.  For others, it’s the beginning of a flurry of activity — recreational sports, summer jobs, or moving to new homes.

What is it for me?  Well, this summer I have a number of home repairs to complete — an aging back door frame and some deck stairs to paint.  We’ll be traveling out of state to visit my wife’s family, cleaning out the garage, and taking care of all the chores we’ve been putting off for too long.

On the other hand, it’s also a chance for me to catch up on my reading, go for long walks with my family, and work on fun projects to recharge my batteries for the new school year that already seems to be looming on the horizon.

Summers are funny like that — we think of them as “breaks” or “vacations,” but even in play we seem almost frantic to cram as much activity as we can fit into a short span of time… and there are always daily chores as well as larger tasks that we didn’t have time to deal with during the school year.  Even so, I think most of us find more time to relax than we allow ourselves the rest of the year.

It’s the time of year when I feel most blessed to be an educator.  When I contemplate the thought of working 50 weeks a year like most professions do, I know that I’m not cut out for that kind of schedule.  I love my career, but a few weeks of rest isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.  Because of summer, I’ll be ready this fall to jump back into the classroom and do what I love.

For now, though, I think I’ll take it easy.  Have a great summer!