The arrival of September has long felt like a major turning point ~ especially from the times it marked the return to school after the Summer holidays.
In recent years, it is a month that I find difficult as my father died on September 1oth, 2010.
Speaking of father, I can’t but think of his absolute love of the light, high tides and colours of September. It was the month he always chose to go on holiday in Ireland after he had taken early retirement.
So, this is a month during which you can expect to see a lot of colour and mixed emotions here on Social Bridge.
Where does September bring you in terms of thoughts, moods and memories?
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
Hmm–September always seems like a bittersweet month. I feel a little sad because summer has passed so quickly, yet at the same time I’m cherishing the last days of warm weather.
Yes, there’s something special about making the very most of the September sun and hoping it shines on into October!
I, too, find September a beginning of sorts. Though summer officially ends on the 21st, it feels like it ends on the first day of school. My father’s birthday was September 11 (ironically the day after you lost yours). I love Nana! Another perfect combo… 🙂
September 21 is our wedding anniversary – a real turning point!
Indeed! (mine’s on the 14th!) I am surrounded by September birthdays to boot…
How fascinating about the September wedding anniversary!
Oh, wow! Rand and my anniversary is September 21, too! It will be 33 years this month.
Suz, so we’re sort of twins! Ours will be 23 this month!
September is my fave month of the year…thank you for the song and memories, it’s been a while since I listen her.
Hi Dana, so glad you like Nana and the song. I hear she’s doing a tour with her daughter soon. Was fortunate enough to see her in concert in Dublin, around 1974, when that YouTube was shot.
Isn’t it funny how the feeling of September being a new start stays with us so long after our schooldays have ended? For me it feels more like the start of a new year than does January. Autumn is my favourite season so I welcome the end of the summer, but only when we’ve actually had one! Last year I remember feeling quite cheated. But this year all is well – we’ve had some lovely warm weather, now I’m looking forward to woollies and fires. I don’t think I could ever live in a place where there’s little discernible difference between seasons – say, Florida, or parts of Australia – even though it sounds attractive! Thanks for this post, Jean. I’m sorry it’s a sad time for you. But clearly a month your father loved.
Hi Robin, yes the school year has more impact than the ‘New Year’ for me too.
Must say I’m not a bit ready for winter woollies and fires, though once it gets passed my birthday in mid-October, I’m usually happy to succumb to all those wintery things with quite a bit of gusto!
I’m with you about preferring to live in a part of the world where the seasons are different ~ though I haven’t any experience of the alternative!
I love dahlias… they are far too cheerful, overfblown and colourful… and always remind me of great uncle John and his magical allotment garden when I was a child.
Sue, yes dahlias are great! Your great uncle’s allotment sounds like a child’s paradise!
Oh it was… a huge mysterious greenhouse full of strange and exotic things and made of just about everything he could find, and at this time of year what seemed to be a whole hillside of dahlias 🙂
I always seem to get into a new writing project in September – like your other commenters, there are those echoes of a new year at school, college – lots of energy. Long may it last!
Hi Valerie, that’s fascinating about the new writing project in September. I hope this year’s goes well for you and that the energy is carries you through to Spring without any trouble.
(BTW, I’m as sure as I can be that my father worked with your grandfather in the bank in Waterford many moons ago. He always talked about his great way with words. John? Would I be right?)
Ah, that’s nice to hear, Jean. I did wonder if they ever met. Yes it’s John – my Dad – he died young, would have been a very young fella then in one of his first jobs!
Sorry to hear that your father died young. He certainly left a great impression on my father and his pals who often talked about him. I always thought I’d love to have met this guy that stood out from the crowd!
September is my favourite month too – I see it as a time of transformation.
Andrea, good to hear from you. Now the concept of transformation is very interesting in terms of this time of year. Hadn’t quite seen it like that before!
I love Nana Mouskouri’s songs. It’s my mother’s birthday this week.
Sarah, so glad you like Nana Mouskouri’s songs. I’m a real fan too.
Hope your mother has a great birthday.
Yes, September it definitely a turning point when remembering the return to school, fall and bittersweet memories of those months leading to the loss of my mother in December. It is a month of transformation and I begin to think of what and if I would have done things differently and what the outcome may have been. I have been reading the postings on Social Bridge for some time and I have decided to try to chat a bit. I have received so much insight from reading and listening to what my heart and soul will say about what I have read.
I have always loved fall and I grew up in the northeast. Here in FL it does come a bit later in the year. You do begin to se very slight peaks of fall……………..as it to say “I am almost here”!
Susan, many thanks for writing and for your kind words about Social Bridge.
I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s passing in December ~ not an easy month, though I don’t suppose any month is ‘easy.’
I must say we are beginning to see strong hints of Autumn here in Ireland now, even though I, for one, try to deny them!
I love Nana Mouskouri’s song too! September is the birthday month, all my brothers and sisters bar one were born in September, as where two brother inlaws and a long time friend……………
Here is my September song
Willow, thanks so much for your September song.
I hope all the birthdays go well!
They will if I remember them all!!
My youngest son’s favourite song! (plays it to drive his older brother crazy…) 😉
Oh I was the younger and know what that feels like!!!!
I always feel that September brings new beginnings, I guess it’s all that back-to-school stuff in September.
CT, I must say you are all starting to change my views of September. New beginnings ….. . Thank you.
I love September, but it is always too short—followed by a season that is always too long
Oh well, whatcha gonna do… Beautiful dahlia photo! 🙂 ❤ ❤
Jackie, I agree that September tends to feel short but I must say I’m an October person, especially with the Autumn colours.
Glad you like the dahlia photo.
I love September because it’s when our daughter was born, Sept. 3rd, and as much as summer is fun, I love fall even more. As I get older, the hot heat leaves much to be desired and I love the new fall colors, as well…lovely post and song, Jean. 🙂
Lauren, happy birthday to your daugther (and you) tomorrow. I hope it’s a great and happy day.
Aww, thanks, Jean! Dinner out and new laptop for her. She’s a senior in college this year, so we’re very proud. But it’s amazing how fast time flies when I remember when she was little and I’m sure you feel the same. Have a good evening!
That sounds great and you are so right to be proud of her.
I hope YOU are in major celebratory mode as I firmly believe that birthdays are very much about mother/child bonds! Needless to say I only realised the extent of this when I had my own son. After that I found myself giving my mother presents on my birthday!
Oh, I will be and you made me smile. Our children’s birthdays are for us to celebrate just as much as for them! 🙂
Good!!!