Melancholy

mel·an·chol·y [mel-uhn-kol-ee] noun

1. a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged.

2. sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness.

I always find myself feeling a bit sad this time of year.  There is something about the shorter days, the cooler nights, the falling leaves that brings me down.  I try not to let it get to me, and have autumn traditions which certainly help.  Even apple and grape picking this weekend didn't do the trick, though.  It was a beautiful day for it.  Superman even indulged me with a motorcycle ride through the valley, and about 19 lbs. of apples, pears and concord grapes.

I'm feeling sad right now because Monkey Boy is leaving tomorrow.  He has been home on leave from the Air Force for 4 weeks, and flies to Chicago tomorrow on his way to Germany.  I know I will see him before his 3 years are up, but I don't know when.  

Superman and I took him rock climbing today.  He had never been, and it was one of the last things on the list of what he wanted while he was home.  Pork Roast with mushrooms - check.  Rock climbing - check.  Chipotle - check.  Rock climbing was harder than he thought!  He had fun though, and climbed walls I never would have attempted.  He is a well-muscled 19, after all.

Can you tell the wall is slanted outward at the top?
I can't even get off the ground on this one!

This is where he told me "You're such a Mom!"
(for taking pictures)

I had fun too, and climbed better than I have in a while (even with thyroid shaking to contend with).  Tomorrow I will spend the day cleaning his room, doing his laundry, and running him around town to make sure he has everything taken care of before he leaves.  He is at his Dad's tonight.  I'll pick him up around noon take him to an Indian Food buffet, which is the last thing he asked for that I can provide.  We will stop by the phone store so he can turn off his phone (no American cell phone service in Germany!).  Then I will take him to the airport.  At that point, I will cry.  I almost cried in line at Chipotle, thinking about it.  Having him here was wonderful.  I will miss him, but won't be crying Thursday.  It's just the goodbyes that are hard.