Some of my greatest childhood memories are from summer and summer activities. I urge you to take the time now before school starts to appreciate the summer and reflect with your kids, family and friends about the good times that happen each summer. Have an "End of Summer Party" to celebrate these great memories. 

Show pictures, share videos and stories. Ask everyone what their favorite summer memory or best summer adventure was. 

What are your best summer memories? Did you love the trips and vacations, summer camp, quality time with grandparents? Is the best part of summer catching lightning bugs, cooking s'mores, enjoying summer backyard parties? Are your best memories of swimming pools, sleepovers, mid-week movie nights, sleeping in late? Did you visit amusement parks and ride roller coasters, savor ice cream, set up lemonade stands or love juicy watermelon? Was the best part of summer no shirts, no shoes and no homework? 

A couple of encouraging thoughts as summer ends: The holiday season will be here before we know it, and fun summer times will be back again next year -- and you have cherished memories to carry us through.