The Charlotte Jewish News- August 2026- Page 38
Kids Corner
The Changes August Brings
By Sara Solar
Change is hard. But change happens – it is inevitable. We do not live in a static world.
The month of August always makes me think about change. August brings a new school year with new grade levels, new teachers, and new routines. It moves us closer to the High Holidays and the beginning of a new Jewish year – a time of reflection, renewal, and growth.
August also brought one of the biggest changes of my life three years ago: becoming an empty nester. The dreaded day arrived when I moved not one, but two children off to college. That meant two trips up I-85 with the car packed to the brim with everything a college student could possibly need these days( and,
believe me, it is a lot of stuff!). It also meant two tearful goodbyes where I tried my hardest not to cry in front of my children and instead waited until I was safely back in the car.
Since then, my son has graduated from college and is now a fully independent adult with a wonderful job and a great apartment out of state. My daughter still has two more years of college ahead of her, so each August brings the familiar transition from having her home for the summer to sending her back up the road to Raleigh.( Go Wolfpack!) Once again, my husband and I find ourselves alone in the house. And with that comes something we haven’ t always had much of – time to think.
Lately, I have found myself reflecting on the saying,“ The days are long, but the years are short.” As a parent, I can tell you that statement is absolutely true. The baby and toddler years seemed endless at times – filled with sleepless nights, diaper changes, and more tears than I care to remember. Then elementary school came with homework, sports practices, birthday parties, and a constant sense of being on the go. I blinked, and suddenly I had two teenagers. Then came college applications, campus visits, and before I knew it, those move-in days had arrived.
But I have also learned that change can also be a gift. My husband and I are discovering how easy it is to do things when we only have to coordinate the schedules of two people instead of four. Planning a trip, going out to dinner, or even running errands feels different now. We have discovered a love of travel and have embraced opportunities that were harder to manage when the kids were younger. In the past two years alone, we have traveled to Paris and Italy, creating new adventures and memories together.
There is an ancient Talmudic proverb:“ Meshane makom, meshane mazal” or“ change your place, change your luck.” The saying suggests that altering our surroundings can break patterns, open new doors, and create opportunities for growth.
In many ways, we have embraced that idea. Travel has allowed us to experience new places, perspectives, and possibilities. It has helped make this stage of life exciting rather than something to fear. At the same time, every trip reminds me of another important truth: no matter how wonderful it is to explore somewhere new, it is always good to come home. Change can be exciting, but there is comfort in the familiar.
As August turns into September and we begin preparing for a new school year, a new season, and soon a new Jewish year, I am reminded that change is both a challenge and a blessing. We cannot stop time from moving forward, nor would we want to. Every stage of life brings its own joys, struggles, and opportunities for growth.
If you are in the midst of those long days with small children at home, cherish them, even on the
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The years may be short, but they are also full. May we all find the courage to welcome what comes next while appreciating where we are today.
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