The autumn is behind us now. Don finished raking up the last of the leaves today on the lawn and believe it or not, the temps hit near 70. It sure didn't feel like November but I have a feeling once this warmth passes, the chill will be in the air. Winter now approaches, after all Thanksgiving is only another three weeks away. That doesn't seem possible. Time goes way too quickly. Noah turned 8 months today. Kelsey will be 11 next month. And I? Well, though I had my birthday last month, lets just say that I seek for ways to hold the precious moments longer than they stay; i take lots of pictures! This morning, as I always like to do on weekend mornings, I lingered the morning through. I sat and watched the slide shows of the summer gardens and flowers, that I had made. Seems like just yesterday that they were all in full bloom but they've all been cut down to the ground now and everything is ready for the cold, the frost and snows. I know they are all there still, just below the surface, safely sleeping until the spring comes again. And, strangely enough these thoughts come to mind, when just the other day I had the conversation at work about the seasons of our life.
The Autumn of my life is actually a wonderful place to be. Gone are the struggles to survive in the spring, when one is new and so independent upon others for the strength to survive. The building of one's foundation in the springtime, and at times even crumbling - only to rebuild again and again until finally the summer brings the needed warmth. Now, in the autumn of my life, I can look back with an appreciation that neither spring nor summer knows. The beauty in change surrounds now, rather than the beauty of developing and growth. I am now three seasons, like the colorfully weaved, patchwork quilt. Memories abound and mesh; have made me who I am. But, far from complete, as there is still much to learn and become a part of, such is life. Yet, what never ceases to grow is a forever deepening appreciation for what has been, what is and what is to be. I'm trying to hold on to it all. I write, I take pictures; dream and then I put it all together, for another time and place. It will be remembered; learned and appreciated, also, by you who takes the time.
Do I make sense tonight as I just write my each moment's passing thought? Does it really matter if I do or not? One of the beauties that I have learn these past few years of writing here is that when I have written just what has drifted through my mind in the moment, seems to be the most meaningful to me; the most uplifting in another day. So, here I am, this place, this Beauty of Life place that I created years ago, still is so much a part of my life. Sometimes, that amazes even me. Little did I know and I had not had a plan in mind, when I started that it would continue. Yet, it does. Here I write for us. I write for my family; for my children that some day they will read it all again and again, all the way back. I write for my grandchildren because they will know me and see themselves here. I write for my sister. I write for those who begin their grief or travel through it. I write to my mother and I write for myself. This blog is open to all and so, I write to you.
Autumn passes now. The trees are bare and the skies are grey. Darkness comes early and the moon, like a harvest moon shines the way. Wood fires burning, taking the evening's chill out of the air and I love making homemade soups. And here it is already November, winter nears. Did I hear 50 something more days til Christmas? And yes, its rare but true, I've started my shopping already. I want to look forward to it rather than dread it. Though, those plans have come my way before, year after year. All good and full intentions to do it early but I stop almost as soon as I have started and then once again I find myself racing around in the dark and cold to finish it up near the final days. I swear that won't happen again this year!! (sureeee)