I always like to say that every season is my favorite when it begins, and this summer that has been especially true. It has been such a joy to soak up the sunshine, enjoy the longer evenings, and watch the flowers bloom. Every morning when I walk into work, I’m treated to seeing the Center’s beautiful butterfly gardens in all their glory.
When I started at the Center in November, we were well into fall. Those first months flew by with the holidays, family gatherings, and all the excitement that comes with beginning a new role. Before I knew it, the calendar had turned to a new year.
While January is often thought of as a quieter month, I found myself doing just the opposite. Through the dark days of winter, I was learning, listening, and absorbing so much about our mission, our clients, and this incredible community. Spring arrived quickly, and even through the rainy days, time seemed to move faster. Before I knew it, we were celebrating my first Women Helping Women event in May. I left that evening feeling inspired, challenged, and deeply grateful to be part of this work.
And now…poof. Here we are, halfway through summer.
For the first time since I arrived, I’ve found myself taking a breath. Looking up from the daily pace of work to reflect on these past nine months.
Normally, summer is when I start looking ahead. I’ve always loved fall, and once school begins, it feels like the holidays and the end of the year are suddenly just around the corner.
But this year feels different.
This fall, my daughter will begin her senior year of high school, and my son will start eighth grade—his final year of middle school.
They’re both entering seasons filled with “lasts.” Their last first day of school. Their last synchronized swimming pageant. Their last year living under the same roof before one heads off to college. Even this summer, filled with college visits and day camp, is their last one together “just like it’s always been.”
As I’ve been thinking about all these milestones, I’ve found myself asking a different question. We often think about legacy as something we leave behind someday. But what if legacy isn’t something that begins at the end? What if it’s something we’re building every single day?
Maybe legacy is found in the examples we set when no one is watching. In the conversations we have around the dinner table. In teaching our children that kindness matters, that asking for help is a sign of strength, that generosity is measured not only by what we give but by how we care for others.
I think that’s true here at the Center, too.
Every day, our counselors help people rewrite the stories they tell themselves. Our staff welcomes each person with dignity and compassion. Our donors make it possible for someone to receive care when they might otherwise go without. Those moments may seem ordinary on their own, but together they create a legacy of hope, healing, and belonging in our community.
Mental health care is often about helping people navigate transitions. Joy and grief frequently coexist. We celebrate new beginnings while honoring what has been left behind. Counseling doesn’t stop life from changing, but it helps us meet those changes with greater resilience, perspective, and connection.
As I savor what’s left of this summer, I’m going to try to be a little more present—to notice the laughter as the kids joke around, the gorgeous late sunsets, and these precious moments with my family before another season begins.
Because every season reminds us that time moves quickly. But it also reminds us that the life we’re living today is shaping the legacy we’ll leave tomorrow.
And perhaps that’s the most encouraging thought of all: our legacy isn’t waiting for some distant future. It’s being written in the small moments, the daily choices, and the compassion we show one another—today.
Editor’s Note Coming in August: Amy’s reflection reminds us that legacy is built through the values we live every day. Next month, during National Make-A-Will Month, we’ll explore one meaningful way to extend those values for generations to come.
