While en route to a seven-hour getaway to Erie on Labor Day, a friend sent me one of those e-cards that made me stop and think about my summer.

“Labor Day is a great opportunity to reflect on what you failed to accomplish this summer,” the e-card said.

At first, I couldn’t help but laugh. Then I realized how spot on its message was.

In the spring, I wrote out a list of about 20 things I wanted to accomplish before Labor Day — the popular, yet unofficial end to all things summer.

Recalling that list was depressing.

I never got around to painting my bedroom like I planned. It seemed every weekend I planned to paint, something came up.

Tried planning a trip to Cedar Point — that never happened.

Attempted to plan a weekend or two to Erie. Aside from the quick trip in early September, that also never happen.

Also unchecked on my sad summer wish list was a night of miniature golf.

It seemed that life got the best of me this summer, leaving my list mostly unmarked and forgotten.

May turned to June, then July, and before I knew it, August was gone and Labor Day had forced itself around again.

I managed to cram a bit of fun into the summer, though. There was a four-day trip in July to Houston where I found the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to be comforting.

Still, though, other friends talked of exciting vacations to the Carolinas, Europe, Canada, California, Florida and a multitude of amusement parks.

Seeing these jet setters upload to Facebook hundreds of photos of beaches, pools and parks allowed me to live vicariously through them.

Even a friend’s visit to Cleveland had me envious that they were able to find a summer retreat.

If there’s anything good out of this, at least I don’t have to plan next summer’s list.