Now We Have Autumn
“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.”
William Cullen Bryant
Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love its crisp, sharp beauty; the way it invigorates; its promise of hope and life. Yes, life – just when it seems everything is dying.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, the writer, said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” And I share that sentiment. Not that I particularly enjoy what comes next. No, I’m not big on winter, though it certainly has its attractions as well. But autumn – ah, autumn. It does funny things to my heart. The sight of turning leaves produces a catch in my throat. Passing a playground makes me ache with desire and memory.
I adored school, not a claim I know everyone can make. But fall and school – commingled for me – represented opportunity, broadened horizons, new and renewed friendships, critical information gained, a few more pieces in life’s puzzle offered up. I wanted to learn and grow and do things. That meant I need to know things.
I loved books and reading, a still-held interest well-known to my friends. And at school I could – I had to! – indulge in that interest. It was a marriage made in heaven if there ever was one.
A couple of days ago I was in a neighboring town to visit someone. The community sits at the base of Mount Rainier, which becomes clearly visible at a particular point in the journey. As it floated into view, my breath nearly stopped, the sight was so glorious. Trees all around me were dressed in vivid yellows, reds, and oranges with, of course, some green remaining. I would not have wanted to be anywhere else at that moment viewing any other sight.
The word is in turmoil at this time. We here in the United States are embroiled in an extremely difficult, painful election season. Emotions are running hot and high; friends and family members are at odds, to say nothing of neighbors, colleagues, and strangers; a distinct us and them quality has developed. It’s horrifying, even frightening. The Lord alone knows how all this will turn out.
But. There’s autumn. And autumn has, in my opinion and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, the loveliest smile of all. Solomon declared that “For everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and he was right. As dismal as things may sometimes appear, as terrifying the circumstances – autumn is smiling. And so can we. So should we. This is a season in which to rejoice, be happy, make plans and move forward. A clear, bright fall day makes that do-able. Enjoy every one that presents itself. If you have to, and if you can, go find one. But take pleasure in this season; the next one’s coming. There will be much to savor about that one also, no doubt.
But now . . . well, now we have autumn. Praise the Lord!
8 Comments
Jennifer
Autumn is my favorite season as well! I was somewhat sick, and disappointed as we had our third snow today, and it stayed. In all honesty, it was very beautiful and serene as the huge flakes fell around me as I worked outside in my Carhartts to finish splitting the firewood and feeding the horses before sundown. It actually made me happy for a brief moment. It’s not the snow I mind so much, it’s the loss of autumn. I wish Autumn lasted a couple more months! The winter could be shorter for me. Snow is nice at Thanksgiving and Christmas and New year’s, but I would delight to see it fade away as Valentine’s day hit! Oh, if only that were true! It often lasts till May, and sometimes, even June, on a bad year.❤️
ckarlstrom
Snow! Already!! Yikes!!! You’ve got my sympathy. I wish autumn lasted longer for you than it does and am grateful that our season is a little lengthier. But it’s still too short for my likes . . . . Thanks so much for your comment!
Trudie
But now we have Autumn, Praise the Lord! I love your blogs! ❤️
ckarlstrom
Thanks so much, Trudie. You don’t know how much that means!
Cindy
I agree that autumn is beautiful and I also agree that it is way too short and that the snow and cold of winter starts way too soon and lasts WAY TOO LONG here at the farm. As the snow fell twice this past week I groaned internally as I am still working on falls outside chores. However, I did get all of the bulbs planted for our spring flowers yesterday. The Lord knows best in all things so the fact that winter is at least two weeks early here on the mountain is sure to be a blessing. I have so enjoyed the colors we had, especially watching the leaves cascading to the ground to make golden spotlights under the trees and the driveway becoming a ribbon of gold bordered by dark green of the evergreen trees.
Thanks for the thoughts, Carolyn.
You are doing Him proud with your “gift”.
ckarlstrom
Thank you so much, Cindy!!! And . . . yikes! Snow already??? Hang in there!
Sherri Adams
You have a wonderful way with words! Your descriptions of fall are beautiful, especially since in our neck of the woods, autumn has not really arrived. A few of the trees in our neighborhood are sporting bright foliage, but most are not. Today was rainy and dark, but your words brightened my day! Thank you for reminding us that we still have autumn!
ckarlstrom
Oh, Sherri, I sure appreciate your encouragement and kind words! Thank you very much. So glad you enjoyed it.