I’m not ready for the summer to end. I still have writing to do, and doctors’ appointments to go to, and lesson plans to revise. I still want to go to every online Hebrew practice group I possibly can, and see if more poems arrive (I have no idea what makes them bubble up, though there may be storks involved). I tried to get so much done this summer: rebuilding my exercise practice, working on nutrition, changing medications, taking continuing education social work classes, working on therapy, and writing, and Hebrew, and social skills, and on and on. But it’s not enough. I still don’t have a dog. The novel still isn’t finished. My health is still whatever it is. There are still tons of movies I want to see, and issues I wish I could resolve. I’m not ready to go back to work, and choir practice, and trying to find time for my writing in the spaces in between.
I’m pretty sure I feel this way at the end of every summer, wishing for another month of “vacation” in order to get more of my work done, before the new school year can make me feel like I’m being tied to the back of a speeding train.
I know I will enjoy getting back to the kids, and singing with the choir, but I also know that I will miss this feeling of open time, where I can do things at my own pace and give myself enough time to recover from one panic attack before embarking on the next one.
Here’s hoping that all of the work I’ve done this summer will have shifted something inside of me, creating more space for my summer self to exist during the school year. Because I really want to feel more like myself all year, and not just for a few months at a time.
Fingers crossed.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
Maybe something as simple as a mood board for the month of September will help keep you motivated. A visual reminder of my goals makes me more apt to follow through.
That’s a great idea. Thank you!
I agree. Another summer month would be great. I can hardly believe the “ber” months are set to begin already.
I am not ready at all. Grr to bed months.
I’ve always liked the feeling of beginning that I get in the fall, but I agree that another month of “vacation” would be welcome.
It would be lovely!
fair winds and calm seas!
Thank you!
Hi Rachel
My name is Claude Leboeuf. You sound like an interesting person. I connected to you by navigating a website called SOAR , Survivor Approach to Recovery, if I remember correctly. SOAR is part of the SNAP website. I myself am a SNAP Leader, and do a lot of different things, similar to you as part of my recovery. Besides formal therapy, I do a lot of supplemental things, including a lot of writing and speaking out at Poetry Slams and Open mIcs. If you’re interested, I can send you some of the poetry and Creative Writing that I do.
Claude
I’ve never heard of SOAR or SNAP. More info would be great. Thank you!
SNAP is an acronym for Survivor Network Abused by Priests. I live in Providence RI. I communicate with a SNAP group in Albany NY, and they sent me an Email connecting me to SOAR, Survivor of Abuse Recovery.
SOAR is about using spiritualty and artists expression as supplemental therapies, which I do a great deal of. Your email was on the SOAR website.
I do a great deal of Creative Writing and Poetry, which I put forward at slams and open mics. I also do a lot of speaking out at hearings regarding changing laws for victims of sexual abuse to litigate.
I messaged you because I figured you’re a literary person . Just interested in putting some of my writing out.
These sound like wonderful organizations!
Thanks !
SOAR seems to do a lot with spirituality and art. I do similar, especially with writing and speaking out . These are a type of therapy for me. I describe some of what I do as a Mitzvah. Doing for others as well as myself gives me vitality
I read your poems I love the physical and sensory pictures !
Even though I’m Jewish, I can’t read Hebrew. From reading the Wisdom Books in the Bible, I have the feeling that Hebrew is a great way of expressing strong senses and emotions
Today is the first day of spring for me. I’m hoping for a pleasant summer.
I hope you can find a good pace for life as your routines change.
Thank you! Enjoy the Spring!
Good luck! 🍀
Thank you!
For puppies, it is “paws crossed”. We’ll keep our paws crossed for you!
Thank you!!!
You will 😏
Fingers crossed 🤞
I appreciate how you are feeling, but I’m looking forward. Today marks the first day of spring in Australia.
Enjoy!
Two pets, or more, are better than just one; that way they keep each other company, too.
Absolutely!
I always dread autumn and winter. They always arrive too soon and last too long.
My fingers are crossed for a dog for you!
Thank you!
Your poetry stork has kind eyes.
I can picture him behind a professor’s desk dispatching wisdom and advice to aspiring writers. 😊
Wishing you a smooth transition from Summer to Fall.
Thank you!
I’m with you on the end of summer. I didn’t do much of what I had planned as far as writing and revising a novel. I also want a vacation from my vacation.
Maybe we could just add another month to the year?
Sounds perfect!
The shift can be challenging, but you’ll be okay 🙂
Thank you!
You do stay busy, Rachel! And it’s good to have dreams and goals to continue to work on and strive toward. I wonder, if you had all the time in the world, would the summer break seem so wonderfully special?
Definitely not! If I could choose, I’d have the winter months off for writing.
Summer gone winter come
Your ‘poetry stork’ is such a cutie!
I am always sad to see summer go. It is such a wonderful time when the days are more carefree. I do love autumn and all the smells and coziness too, but summer will always have a very special place in my heart, and it is so fleeting.
🙏🙏🙏💕
Amen! ❤️
Amen! ❤️
If and when you retire from teaching, I think you will find summer never ends if you don’t want it to.
Fingers crossed!
Been there done that.
LOVE the poetry stork!
Me too!