Hello Fall

Fall is my favourite season of the year.  Time seems to slow down just a little as the days get shorter.  The sky takes on a deeper shade of blue and the shadows become longer as the sun slowly slips farther and farther to the south.  The flowers of summer fade and no longer take centre stage.  But the changing leaves more than make up for it with vibrant displays of every imaginable shade of red, orange and gold.  Even the strawberry patch joins the party and blushes a bold crimson.

Fall is crisp mornings with just a kiss of frost.  It's a long walk with my best friend Sophie.  The rustling of golden leaves in a gentle breeze or the crunch of them underfoot and the somewhat pungent but yet pleasant smell of decaying vegetation.  It's stopping for a moment to admire spectacular views of summer fading away and autumn taking over as nature prepares for another winter season.  

Fall is a time to gather.  Farmers and their giant combines harvest seemingly endless fields of grain.  Gardeners bring in a bounty of vegetables for canning or to store in the cellar for the winter.  Geese and birds flock and prepare for the long journey south.   And hay is stacked neatly in the barn to keep the ponies fed and happy all winter long.  

Fall is taking time to enjoy simple things.  It's flannel shirts, favourite jeans and new boots. Fall is apple pie.  Homemade soup.  And everything pumpkin spice.  It's hay rides.  Corn mazes.  And bonfires. ​

Most importantly though, fall is a time to give thanks.  It's a reminder to appreciate our blessings and gifts.  Even when life isn't perfect.  There will be hard times, hard lessons and broken hearts. But we should always be grateful for family and friends and for God's amazing grace.