Autumn Glory
Written by Marilyn Ferguson
©2004
Autumn breeze is blowing
Chill is in the air
Leaves are gently swirling
Scattered here and there.
People clad in jackets
Cider nice and hot
Wiener roast and campfire
Sure does hit the spot.
Football games on Fridays
Fans can now be found
Huddled round in blankets
Rivals come to town.
Wintertime is coming
Leaves are being shed
Lovely shades of yellow
Touch of crimson red.
Frost is on the pumpkin
Hunter with his gun
Days are growing shorter
Golden fields are spun.
God is quite the artist
Paints a canopy
Add a splash of color
For everyone to see.
Yes, Marilyn Ferguson’s lovely poem brings images to mind of all the wonders of the autumn season.
There is so very much to like. From pumpkin spice lattes to apple cider and plain delicious hot coffee or tea. I look forward to hay rides and going to the pumpkin patch, selecting pumpkins to carve. I mustn’t forget about the tailgate parties and the bonfires. Then there are the haunted houses that delight you with a bit of fright, but not enough to have you running away screaming in the still of the night.
I do have a few neighbors who have waited quite some time to begin decorating for All Hollows Eve. I like taking my time to get into the fall season and bask in the colors. I do enjoy crunching in the leaves while I’m in the process of raking them up. It could be strenuous exercise, but I take my time. It’s all right to spend all morning working in the yard. I like greeting all the joggers, power-walkers and dog walkers. Some are very serious about their morning workout and others are relaxed and don’t mind stopping for a bit of a chat.
It seems as though the high school and college football games bring the most excitement. You can choose to attend and participate in the festivities or sit it out and remember how it was for you. I still get caught up in the celebrations. It’s possible to feel the electricity in the air of all that youthful energy, excitement and enthusiasm.
Fall from beginning to end is all about sharing and caring with family and friends. Something, no matter how old we get, thrills us.
There are many who have lost family and friends, finding themselves alone. It doesn’t have to be a sad time.
Maybe you won’t be attending the parties and gatherings, but you have your own memories. The great thing about memories is that we can choose to remember only the good. And a little dose of how it wasn’t all that wonderful wouldn’t hurt. You see, you are in a position to create your own traditions and your own celebrations. It doesn’t even matter if you end up doing things alone. There’s no harm in that. You see, it is all about you and how you can decide how you want to feel about the season.
I’m not one to mope around about it. I have plenty of things to keep me busy that I truly enjoy doing. It could be doing crafts or indoor and outdoor activities. As I said, raking leaves can be either enjoyable or a chore. I choose to look on the bright side.
I have found over the years that I don’t need to be out and about with all the hoopla of the fall activities. I don’t know about outgrowing them as much as choosing other priorities. It is moving on with your life. Do you remember the Bible verse that says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 of the King James Version.
I’m not saying this is childish, I’m saying some things aren’t meant to go on and on and on. But I do know people who are into their alumni football games. They do attend the game against their arch rival every year. They do get together with old friends. That’s great and wonderful, but there are many who don’t. Neither is right nor wrong, it just is. And it is about the choices you make.
There are so many other things you can do to take the place of those activities. And as we’ve matured, we’ve naturally made choices. We move on, life moves on. We hold fast to those things that are important to us.
This discussion of fall is far from over.
Please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts about fall and whatever motivated you to leave a comment.
Until next time,
Sharon
