There was a chill in the air for the first time a few days ago that was significant enough that I felt autumn might have captured a foothold. There was a gentle quietness to it, and I tried to close my eyes and enjoy it.
Now is the time to pay attention because soon enough, there won’t be any time to think about the weather. The rush of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year comes barreling down the runway, and there won’t be a moment’s peace.
I tried to hold on to the first moments of the season before the season. It isn’t easy.
I’ve been incredibly busy with work and family, and it’s hard to stop and smell the Fall in the air. Rest and rejuvenation are hard to come by these days. Still, autumn has restorative powers if I can just find a little slice of time.
It is an oasis, set apart from the hustle and bustle of life. There are so many things requiring my attention and energy that I feel I’m not providing enough, and I’m not letting myself enjoy the moments of downtime.
Maybe it’s all in my perspective? Do I need to change my attitude? Is it because my attention is scattershot? Maybe I should focus on myself.
The calendar has flipped to November now, but the weather seems stuck in October. The trees stubbornly cling to their leaves, though the vibrant reds have faded to rusty browns. Halloween already feels like a distant memory. The decorations that transformed our neighborhood into a playful haunted landscape have vanished.
In their place, homes are about to be adorned with strings of lights and wreaths on doors as the holiday season fast approaches. The race toward Christmas has begun. Yet part of me wants to cling to fall like the trees clinging to their leaves. I’m not ready to let go of sweatshirts and shorts, football, and crisp evenings. The coziness of the season feels like an old friend I’m not ready to say goodbye to just yet.
My wife loves holidays. She loves it all, from the twinkling lights to the gift buying and the general feeling of joy and togetherness. For her, it can’t come soon enough. It also means her job ramps up to eleven with a pace that is indescribable to someone outside of her day-to-day work. Meanwhile, I want to slow time down to enjoy the coziness of the season for a bit longer. But time marches on indifferently.
Heading out for a workout a couple of days ago, I was bundled up in my jacket and hat, the cold air nipping at my face. The time has changed, so it’s still as dark as night at this early hour. Lost in thought, I almost trip over a curb at my local YMCA. A reminder to stay present, to enjoy the beauty of today instead of dwelling in memories or anxiety about what’s coming. The air is clear. The leaves are still hanging on for a little longer, which, if you think about it, is a gift to be appreciated.
I close my eyes. I am attuned to my other senses. Crisp air. Quiet stillness. The sound of a leaf gently floating to the grass.
As I round the corner back towards home from my morning workout, I see that a few houses have Christmas trees in their windows, and I have to smile. Their enthusiasm is contagious, even if I’m not quite ready myself.
Walking back inside, I kissed my wife, and we chatted about our upcoming day and weekend. Maybe this Sunday, we’ll pull out our holiday decorations. I still want to hold onto autumn for a few more weeks, but before long, twinkling lights and Hallmark movies will fill our home, too. The seasons change. Time moves forward. The holidays have their own magic, especially when shared with those you love.
For now, I’ll enjoy the coziness of today, this season’s gift to be appreciated in its own fleeting way.
Be seeing you.
