Missing the Solstice

So, it’s summer here at last – technically it arrived just over a week ago. We had been waiting for it and sometimes, in the early spring, it seemed like summer would never come. We waited, anticipated, longed. And finally, like so many things of significance it mostly arrived unnoticed. There was no flashing light, no sirens sounded, no bands marched in the street. It just came, happened, was.

So, as I was watching the flowers this morning, I wonder how it happened that something so anticipated could arrive unnoticed. We knew it was coming. The radio had told us numerous times the date and even the specific moment when it would arrive. But it still went by unnoticed. So we failed to celebrate.

And now, here we are, a week later, at the place we wanted to be.

I was thinking about how often this happens to us when working with young people and their families. We all know where we are going. We work towards it (certain goals). We anticipate the day we will get there. We prepare. Work hard. Anticipate.

And then the next thing we know (assuming things went well) the moment has arrived and passed and we notice, as if in surprise, that we have arrived at the place we were going. Small changes happens (people start to do things differently). Shifts are made (relationships evolve). Along the way we notice certain things which indicate we are headed in the right direction (plan reviews). We prepare (discuss how things will be different). Everything we should be doing, we do (staying on track). And then the moment arrives (goals attained) and passed, unheralded. And we fail to celebrate.

So, I am feeling a little disappointed that the summer solstice arrived and passed without me noticing (I had promised myself I would notice it). But I have another chance next year.

But the youth and family only pass that particular point once in their lives. Once. So, maybe I should pay more attention in the future. After all, what could be more worthy of celebrating than reaching the goals you have been working towards for so long?

So, let’s pay attention and celebrate the moment.

Thom