A Little More Time for September

September reminds me to slow down.

It’s September, and somehow, I feel like I’m not quite finished with August yet. So much happened in August that I feel like I need a little more time to process everything, to let the moments settle and sink in. But here we are, already in September, officially entering the “ber” months.

The weather seems to have shifted too. After a very hot and sunny August, September arrived with cooler, windier days. And with how busy everything has been and how quickly August slipped away, I find myself feeling happy to welcome September.

The Birds Are Visiting

I noticed some new birds visiting our house during the last few days of August. This morning, I spotted one perched on the aratilis tree. I assume they missed me. ^^ I immediately grabbed my binoculars so I could get a closer look, but by the time I returned, it had already flown away. It suddenly made me want to visit the open grounds and the wooded areas again, to spend some time birdwatching and simply being outdoors.

When my children came home from school, they asked me to come with them to the old golf course. Even though I still had work to do, I decided to go. I wanted to look for birds, and I also wanted to watch a beautiful September sunset with them.

While we were walking near the lake, a beautiful kingfisher suddenly appeared and landed on a water lily flower. They really do seem to show up whenever I visit. I’m starting to think they really did miss me. We stopped to watch it, and we were amazed to see that this particular kingfisher had a yellow chest. We stayed there for a while, quietly watching, before continuing uphill.

The Overgrown Grounds

My son brought a boomerang to play with on the wide grassy area. But when his little brother borrowed it, it disappeared into the tall grass. The part of the grounds we had never explored before.

I was hesitant to step into that area because I imagined there might be a large hollow hidden beneath the wild grasses. There were trees and a dry river on the other side, and the place looked a little dark, almost as if some creature lived there and didn’t want to be disturbed.

But as we moved closer, I realized it wasn’t quite as mysterious as I had imagined. They were simply farm plots that had become overgrown with tall wild grass. I went closer to the trees and looked down at the dry river below. The kids and I searched for the boomerang but never found it. What I found instead were little things I might have otherwise missed. A spider, beautiful leaves, and a lovely view of the setting sun.

Sometimes, looking for one thing leads me to discover something else entirely.

Playing Like a Child

We continued toward the upper hill, one of the places we usually stop. We ate our snacks and did what we had come there to do. I birdwatched, watched the sun, and let my kids play. My youngest picked some wildflowers. Then my 9-year-old son asked me to play tag and run with him. So I did.
I ran as fast as I could, just like a child, trying not to get caught. Then we switched roles and chased each other around.

For a little while, I forgot about my work, my deadlines, and everything waiting for me at home. I was simply there, running and laughing with my child. We also noticed how different the sun looked that afternoon. We stayed a little longer before finally making our way back home.

It felt good to be outside again. To walk, breathe, and let the day unfold without rushing through it. Sometimes, life becomes so busy. That afternoon reminded me that I need to slow down. To be present, look around, and notice the small, beautiful things happening right in front of me.

Tending the Garden

I spent some time tending to the garden, sowing more seeds and planting spring onions. The spinach has grown taller and was ready to be trimmed, so I harvested some and cooked it with eggs together with a few other vegetables. There’s something really satisfying about eating something I’ve grown myself. From planting the seeds to watching them slowly grow, being able to harvest them and turn them into a meal feels like a small but meaningful reward.

Thoughts About the “Ber” Months

It was only September 1st when I heard Christmas songs playing around the neighborhood. It’s such a familiar cycle here in the Philippines, when September arrives, and somehow, Christmas begins. Even the malls are already displaying Christmas decorations and items. I love Christmas, but I don’t quite feel it yet. For now, I’d rather let September be September.

Caught between wanting to slow down and wondering how quickly the year is passing. I want to take my time with this month to notice the changing weather, the wind, the sunsets, and the little moments that make September feel like itself. I remember how vibrant and memorable the sunsets were back in September 2019. There was something about the colors and the feeling of those evenings that stayed with me. And somehow, I feel a little of that same feeling again today.

Maybe that’s what I love about September. Before the rush of Christmas begins, there’s still a quietness to the month. A little space to pause, look around, and simply be present.

The months will keep passing, whether I’m ready for them or not. But I hope I’ll always make room for the little moments: the birds that suddenly appear, the sunsets that make me stop, the lovely wildflowers, the quiet walks, and the laughter shared with my children. I hope we can let September simply be September. A month to pause, breathe, notice the little things, and enjoy where we are right now. Because sometimes, it’s the smallest moments that become the ones we remember most.

Love, Celeste