I’ ve asked old acquaintance, Walter Houston, once again, to lead us with his melancholy vocal of “September Song” to set the mood.
September is a bittersweet month for many of us. For the young, it’s the end of summer, goodbye to the idyllic warm days of endless fun and those first romantic days and nights recorded on songs whose lyrics you now struggle to remember.
It’s adieu to summer camp. I have positive memories of Silver Bay and Camp Wilbur Herrlich, Kodak memories of Lutheran Summer Camps in the woods of upstate New York. Roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and chugging “bug juice” around twilight campfires.

In the far recesses of my brain, we’re again singing “We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder,” “Beautiful Savior” (Mom’s favorite hymn) and “Abide With Me.” Some of the mid-teen voices are cracking as we try to go to higher notes. Boys and girls sneak quick looks at each other, cementing romances that will be “forever.”

Pastor Herb Gibney, who was a central figure in my life from age 13 to age 48 (He was the lead minister at our wedding in 1990), would regale us with “colorful” stories we were not supposed to tell our parents. All the hushed laughter in our tents overnight as we watched fireflies light the sky and we swapped stories that had little truth. We always wanted to be the last one to fall asleep.
September also is the pivotal month in sports. Our baseball teams are in their final drive for a pennant, postseason berths and, if lucky, a trip to the World Series. There’s a lot of nail-biting, prayers to the big baseball guy in the sky and sleepless nights as our team struggles.

It’s the beginning of football on all levels — from the NFL down to Junior High School and local PeeWee Leagues. Here in New England, we wonder if the ageless Tom Brady can pull off his magic and lead the Patriots to one more Superbowl. Tom is a 40 something quarterback this year and the Patriots don’t look very super after their first two games. Yes, I know it’s just September and early for professional football.
September is a big month for weather.
Hurricane season, in particular. Florence is still wreaking havoc with Atlantic coastal cities and there’s no end in sight right now. We’re happy to be above Flo’s path of destruction. We just had heavy rain which doesn’t sit well with our furry children.
The 9th month is the beginning for political hopefuls who hope to win in the midterm elections. We’re hoping all those upset with the status quo, embrace a candidate’s campaign and participate in a BIGLY effort come election day — as in, get out and VOTE.
We’re also about to be inundated with the new season of TV shows. From what we’ve seen in previews, don’t hold your breath unless you’re watching Candace Bergen as “Murphy Brown” returns to television.
I also noticed the Hallmark Channel is beginning its run of Christmas themed romantic dramas. I’ll pass.
Walter Houston is wrapping up his encore of “September Song”.
Thank you, Kind Sir. Same time, next year…