Fall is my most favorite time of the year. There are numerous reasons for this. I’m a natural brunette and therefore look best in earth tones. I prefer organic colors in my home too, so the autumn prints always accent well. Fall brings the season premieres of all my favorite TV shows – not to mention the kickoff of Colts football season (and I emphasize Colts because none other really interests me). Fall means the return to school and routine and learning. Even now – 20+ years removed from school – I’m still inspired to start reading when the temperatures start to fall. I met John in the Fall and the sights, smells & tastes of it always take me back to that time. I love it so much that I determined to have an Autumn wedding which, in hindsight, wasn’t such a brilliant idea given the fact that I married a deer hunter.
A few years ago I had a friendly debate with a friend concerning her disdain for the season and my crazy love of it. I’m certain I won that debate of course, and it even inspired me to write an article for the church newsletter. That article is long gone, but it probably wouldn’t fully capture my thoughts anymore anyway. This year the leaves falling to the ground, the dying grass, and the approach of harvest season have taken on a new significance. Always a time that represented change in the most vivid way – this year it does more so as I can almost see myself in the green leaf as it withers into a golden brown. I’m another year older and approaching the age when birthdays start to matter. I can feel the effects of every one of them now. I remember the friendly debate. My friend loved spring because it “represented new life”. I pointed out that Fall does too, it just isn’t as literal. You have to dig a little deeper to see it. New life can’t happen without significant change on the part of something. Think about that…
But in what seems like this perpetual Autumn of my life – one that has spanned over a year now – I’m finding it necessary to remind myself that I love it. I know it’s got newness right on its heels but I sometimes find myself unable to see past the death and instead longing as my friend did for “new life”. Am I getting too lazy to dig deeper myself? I hope not. I remembered an old Nichole Nordeman song today called Seasons. She pretty much sums it up better than I ever could, so here are the lyrics. Enjoy…
Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer
And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and is to come
You are autumn
And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter
And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring
