By Theresa Smith, Journal contributor

The first misty days of late summer come along, and I find myself feeling a little blue. It is interesting how a feeling of sadness shows up out of nowhere. It wafts in like mist through trees. I notice memories of years past. The changing of seasons. Summer and all of its chaos and fun is coming to a close. I will miss it.

It is interesting how smells can evoke memories. Like how a rainy day smell brings me back to memories and with the memories, sadness and joy. I remember being a little kid nervous and excited to go back to school. I remember the smell of crayons and the Labor Day horse show in Derby Vermont. Maybe it was a fair, but I remember it for the horses. School started the next day. Scary.

As an adult and mother, I remember feeling some relief when my three daughters went back to school in the fall. All those years of juggling everything, trying to make ends meet and being the best mother I could be. What felt like a day late and a dollar short as they say. I felt relief they would be gone during the day so I could get the mountain of things done, and sadness for the same reason.

Now. This year. Today. With the coming of the mist, I feel some sadness for the ending of summer and the seasons of the past. I feel some sadness in the memories of my girls as children. And for me as a child. It is love, joy, sadness all rolled up into one. Thinking of them now as adults, it warms my heart and makes me weep. They have done it. I have done it. We have done it. Somehow against all odds. Through grace and grit and so much love.

And so today with the drizzle I am feeling melancholy with all the memories of years gone by. Then the puffing up with pride for my three girls and who they have become. And I know my parents would be proud of me too. I am full to the brim with love. A mixed bag.