The summer is being washed away

Tomorrow starts the new term. The long days of summer are over and the year will finally start.

It’s just started raining here. Not just drizzling, but that kind of bucketing, drenching, rain on the roof style rain. The type where I worry if we will lose power and consider tying the outdoor furniture down. We haven’t had rain like this since the holidays began.

This morning the weather was still sultry. Warm and sticky, like soup. There was anxiety in the air. Poss was worried over items she felt were missing from her book order, where her desk would be and who would be on her table. We talked through it, but I couldn’t give her the answers she needed.

The sun continued to rise, and the day became clear and blue. We did the last minute running around for school. Dragging Poss from place to place, a schedule to keep, a list to complete.

We collected a new rugby jumper for sport, got Poss a much coveted pencil case from her favourite store and had her fringe trimmed. Books are labelled and packed away in the school bag. Lunch has been picked and shoes are laid out.

While we were at school, visiting the uniform shop, we ran into her new teacher. She kindly gave Poss half an hour of her time to show her the classroom, point out her seat, go through who was on her table and listen to Poss’ holiday news uninterrupted.

She commented on how much Poss had grown over the break and complimented her on her new hair cut. She discussed the book order and explained that they weren’t missing, they were simply waiting at school for her.

Calm returned.

Now the air smells fresh. Crisp. The rain is pounding our tin roof and it’s like the summer is being washed away.

We are ready.