Thursday, September 24, 2009

Autumn again.

Sitting in my rocking chair looking out the front windows, I notice the maple across the street is beginning to turn. Before long it will be orangy-yellow. The tall walnut beside our house will be pure gold, towering over our roof. A jewel-toned tapestry is what the oak will remind me of and the half dozen crepe myrtles will turn peachy-red. And then every single leaf will fall to the ground. Every one. Hard to imagine.
When we lived in Jacksonville, Florida folks took their vacations in the fall to go to Tennessee and "see the leaves turn". Since I'd grown up in Tennessee, I thought that was funny. Until I spent a couple falls in Florida. Then I found myself seeking out roads lined with sumac - basically a spindly weed, but which turns scarlet red in the fall. That was the height of my autumnal glory for a few years.
I love summer, but when the leaves begin to look tired and the flowers struggle to appear happy, I'm ready for everything to have a rest. For the trees to go out in a blaze of glory. For the zinnas and begonias to be put out of their leggy misery. For the sky to deepen to match the deep blue of September's birth stone. All signs it is time to say goodbye to summer.
When something's been good, it's hard to let go. With two engagements this past week and Lizzy settling in and busy at college, the future is very much with us. However, sometimes in the early darkening of the afternoons, I remember those days when I gathered my little ones inside as the leaves fell. Remember the laughter and red cheeks around the table, eager to share supper with mom and dad, brother and sister. Tales of their days at school or play winding down in cozy beds sheltered from brisk winds.
Lengthening shadows seem to lenghthen my memories.

4 comments:

Chris and Chuck Keith said...

I think this is one of your better posts. Really well-written.

Kay Dew Shostak said...

Thanks, Chris. I'm humbled and honored and so blessed to be your friend.

Marti Pieper said...

Congratulations

. . . on your tenacity in blogging.
. . . on the dual engagements (our two oldest daughters married this January and June)
. . . on your celebration of fall. (Here north of Orlando, I think I remember what it looks like).

I posted yesterday but your blog apparently eats Mozilla. Sending love!

Kay Dew Shostak said...

Thanks Marti - for all three! I do not understand the problems with comments, you are not the only one. And I use Mozilla to post so that shouldn't be a problem. I keep looking into it and can't figure it out. But thanks for your tenacity in trying again!