A wrinkle in the season; what do we call this time in our lives?

OPINION/ HUMOR — A recent social media poll I conducted for The Shelby Independent, asked readers, in their opinion, when does summer end? What do people believe the last day of summer actually is?

According to the participants of The Shelby Independent’s poll “When does summer end?” There were three choices:

1. The first day of school — received 45% of the vote.

2. September 22 (the official last day of the summer season) — 31% of those polled said this was the last day of summer.

3. “Ugh, 🥵 I can’t wait for Fall — received 23% of the vote.

(Votes as of 08-16-25 at 6:00 p.m.)

I asked this question because as school starts back, the summer ends for both parents and kids alike, while younger BC couples (before children) and those with grown children and retirees can continue enjoying summer until it officially ends.

I have to agree with the parents and teachers; I think summer seems to end when school begins, too.

I just can’t equate the slow moving traffic, neighborhoods choked with yellow school busses, and roads clogged for the passerby having to drive around the backed-up school drop off and pick up lanes spilling out into the roads as having anything to do with summer.

However, it’s not quite autumn yet… but it’s not technically summer neither.

It’s a period of heat and humidity where the insult is added to the injury of school being back in session (now that “summer” is over) but no relief from the heat.

Parents, students and educators all trapped, unable to get away for a cool vacation in the mountains or a refreshing cool swim in the ocean.

I hear you, I know. It’s not fair.

If it’s not summer, and definitely not the cool feel of Fall, then, what is this abysmal period of discombobulating insanity between now and September 23rd?

Purgatory.

There’s not other name for it.

In Christian theology, it is “a passing intermediate state after physical death for purifying or purging a soul.” This is mostly believed by Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox has their own interpretation.

While Protestants (Baptist) like myself do not believe in purgatory, I think we all can believe in the idea that the uncomfortable reality of fire and brimstone that exists between the first day of school and the first day of Fall is real.

Until we move past purgatory and into the autumn season, all we can do is push forward, wipe the sweat from our brow during this nonsensical time and know cooler days await.

The smell of chimneys, white girls walking around with their pumpkin spice whatevers, hay rides, football, bonfires and early nights as we snuggle in to watch our favorite tv shows, a movie — or take a walk amongst the colorful leaves on a bright, but chilly, Sunday afternoon; I’m looking forward to the cooler days.

I can’t wait for Fall, it’s my favorite color.

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Chuck Thompson is a columnist for The Shelby Independent.