I love fall. It is, hands down, my favorite time of the year. As the temperatures cool off, the leaves change colors and the autumn breezes fill the air with an aroma of pumpkin and spice and everything nice. Well, that may be my candle scenting the air, but nonetheless, the scents of autumn are the best in the world.
There is something about autumn that warms my soul. I love wearing fuzzy socks and snuggling under warm quilts. I love making hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows and popping popcorn. I love wearing sweaters and turtlenecks, jackets, scarves and hats.
So many things have happened in my life in the fall. It is a real time of change for me, and though not every change is a good change, change is a part of life. Change might be the only constant we have to hold on to. Every autumn, I am reminded of those life changes as if they blow in on the cool breezes and whisper in my ear.
I left for college in the fall, and remember feeling scared and excited all at the same time. As excited as I was to be starting a new journey in my life, I was scared to death about being on my own. I could tell you it was a wonderful experience, but to be honest, my freshman year of college was sort of a nightmare. I had a roommate who was toxic and was more than two hours from home, lonely and isolated. I transferred to a different school before Christmas, and moved back home. Every fall those memories feel like old friends, reminding me that we do get second chances.
I met my husband, Michael, in the fall. He as playing football at Baldwin-Wallace University and we were in stats class together. From our first date to sitting at every football game cheering him on, I have so many wonderful memories from that first fall we were together. We spent time walking on campus, studying for classes and realizing that life together was much better than life apart. Meeting Michael changed my life forever and he is my constant in this crazy world of change no matter what season it is.
I lost my dad in the fall. After spending months running back and forth to several hospitals to be with my dad, he finally succumbed to his illness and passed away in November sixteen years ago. In many ways, it feels like yesterday, and yet it was a lifetime ago.
Every fall, I am surrounded by memories of my dad, the times he played skip-to-my-lou on his guitar, the Jimmy Buffet concert we went to and adventures we shared in San Francisco, New York and Florida. My dad moved around a lot, and though I didnt get to see him much, the time we did have together was precious. When he died, I had to let go of so much, and yet I hold on to the memories. They visit me every autumn.
The autumn breezes are rustling through the trees and the colors are changing by the day. I have stocked up on hot coca and marshmallows, and pulled out all of my sweaters and fuzzy socks. I bought a pumpkin and spice candle, and am anxious to get out all of my fall decorations to beautify the house. I just love autumn. And though some of my autumn memories are sad, they are mine. Like old friends they stop by for a warm cup of tea to share time with me. And once again, I open my soul and welcome them in.
