Time of Transition

Transitions are always strange. Not necessarily bad or good, but a change always requires a little time. Although I have had some big changes in my life recently, those are not the changes I am talking about. I mean the change from summer to fall. Although this year it seams like we skipped the summer (and possibly the fall, also) that I am accustomed to and went from spring to winter. Halloween just flew by, like I would imagine a witch on her broomstick would fly around...well, wherever she wanted. Dan and I dressed up and passed out candy to the neighborhood children. But then, as soon as I was getting used to the skeletons and blood, black cats and carved pumpkins, I had to take them down and replace them with autumn leaves and turkeys.

Don't get me wrong, I love fall. I mean, my favorite color is orange!!! I think it is the feeling that I am falling behind. I worry that I am a day late in decorating, behind in my cleaning, and nowhere near ready for Thanksgiving (just around the corner) or Christmas (following close behind). It doesn't help that wherever I go, all the stores have completely skipped over Thanksgiving and gone right into Christmas. All the decorations are snowflakes and christmas trees, not fall-toned leaves and turkeys. The merchandise is gismos and gadgets on wish lists for stocking stuffers, or pre-wrapped gift baskets in sparkly red and green adorned with golden bows and silver snowflakes. Perhaps that is why I feel like I am playing catch up. Around me, the sights, sells, and feeling of the real world says I should be cherishing the turning of the leaves, the crisp chill in the air, and the crunch of my booted feet on the newly frosted grass in the early morning. I should accept that it is dark when I wake up in the morning, and dark by the time we are sitting down for dinner. I should smile that I can break out my collection of scarves and sweaters, and wear them without also having to wear multiple layers and a puffy, down coat on top. But despite what feels natural, stores and tv and advertisements are telling me that I am behind. That good, responsible people are already putting gifts on layaway. That if you haven't picked out your Christmas menu, you are a poor hostess. That Frosty the Snowman should already be living in our front yard. With all these mixed signals, how could I not feel distressed in the transition.

So, I am making a conscious decision. I am deciding to NOT skip fall, to be thankful for Thanksgiving, and to adore autumn. After all, nothing beats the beauty of a golden harvest moon or a spectacular orange colored sky at sunset or a night of snuggling next to a roaring fire. For me, that is the true beauty of this season.