Stepping Into Autumn

Nothing brings a skip to my heart with the anticipation of fun and excitement like Autumn. As God's carefully orchestrated song of color, odor and sounds fill the cool fall breeze, the hot angry days of summer come to a close and the cold bitter days of winter are still distant enough to forget them. The senses fall upon me as the wind that carries them flits in my hair; it causes me to remember my youth - any good of it - and the regrets of not taking more advantage of the good when I had it.

My parents, for example, made so many sacrifices for me but I didn't learn as a child to appreciate them. How do you teach a child to appreciate? They don't know the effort involved. Sometimes parents don't either.

My children are all so unique. Sometimes I have to seek out what they appreciate. For example, running across a series of straw bales doesn't look exciting to me, but to one of my daughters it's a thrill! Her face lights up as she realizes that her Daddy endorses a little frolicking on the large golden bricks.

As Summer turns to Autumn, and leaves change in the cooling breeze I'm reminded of the importance of change. It reminds us of that which is constant. How when we fall apart, our loving God and caring parents are there to piece us back together.

And while nothing gold can stay, perhaps these golden memories I have with my children now will stick around long enough for them to have their own families and share their fond memories of them to their children.