It's Almost Here!!

I can't believe it. I mean, I wait for this ALL YEAR LONG - it's better than Christmas Eve! It's better than chocolate! And it's even better than SHOPPING!! Can you guess?

It's THE FALL!!

Some people really enjoy the summer; I get that. The snow has finally melted, you don't need an extra 4 layers of clothing, and there's no shoveling. Sand and surf, late nights by a bonfire, and lazy days abound; it's relaxing, no doubt about it.

Some people love the winter - the outdoor sports, snowmen, the holiday season (another awesome time of the year!). The magic of nighttime snowflakes lit up by streetlights as they drift downward, the beauty in the first snowfall of the season, and the joy in a child's (or my) face when the first Christmas song is played on the radio; yes, all those things have merit, too.

And spring. It's a reawakening of the world, when new life comes out of its long sleep to stretch its little legs and dance around in the rain. The first time you realize that the trees have a hue of green about the branches, the smell of the air is fresh and clean, and the front yard begins to show itself through the snow. For me, it's the most transitional season. But...

I love the fall. Everything about it - from the smell of apples to the changing leaves - inspires me, reinvigorates my spirit and gives me a sense of joy that makes me so thankful that I'm alive every year to see this season. In the beginning of August, I begin dreaming of harvest colors, decorations for my home, apple picking, and hayrides. I love the crispness to the air; the sight of a school bus driving down a yellow-and-orange tree-lined street...even the clothes suit me. Sweaters, jeans, boots...yes, everything is perfect when fall comes around. The world is once again showing her beauty in all its glory, as the leaves change their colors in a magnificent display of autumal bliss. (Was that over the top? Seems like it. Eh, I'll leave it - might use it in a book, and the wording won't come to me again. I digress.)

All summer long, gardeners prune their plants to pick off the dead leaves and buds to allow for new growth; that is much like what happens in these upcoming months. In my own beliefs, fall is a transitional time like spring, but instead of new life emerging, nature begins to prune what has lived its life to make room for the new generation. 

My favorite month is September. For me, September is when I begin my own pruning; I make concrete decisions and lay out the upcoming year. How do I get to next September successfully? What does "successful" mean this year? And how can I live every day like it's the first day of fall - so full of beauty and - for me - hope?  

While those of you who live for summer enjoy this last month for what it is, I'll be scouring the stores to find that perfect little scarecrow to sit on the little bales of hay on my front porch. (It always comes back to shopping, I know, I know...)