September beginnings

 

We've been conditioned to it. After years and years of starting school in September it seems like the natural order of things, at least in Canada and probably most of the US. It's that new beginning, the start of a new school year; arguably a more drastic adjustment than the change to a new year on the 1st of January. (Except perhaps for Y2K.) It's one of our rituals and, like most, has its commercial side. Just think of back to school ads. I know that companies selling tech gear have jumped on that bandwagon following many other companies selling clothing, lunch box items etc. I confess to an urge to haunt stores selling stationery looking for fresh pens and notebooks.

The idea of new beginnings in September has become ingrained. But then so have many other things that are now such a part of our lives they have become part of the background; like clocks, means of rapid transport, communication devices and electricity. Where would we be without electric light? Maybe not thinking of September as a time of new beginnings to look forward to but as the start of shorter days and longer nights. Perhaps a time to worry that there'd be enough set by to tide a family over winter - at least in the Northern Hemisphere.

It's hard to remember that my ancestors' concerns played out on such a different background than my own. But it's something to bear in mind when I try to understand their actions or strive to figure out where else to look for them when I've lost their trails.