(seasonal musings)

Let me be added to the masses who quote dear Anne Shirley, “I’m so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers.” And, oh, how I agree! What a blessing to be entering into a new month. As wonderful as September was, October remains my favorite month of the year.

Aspens are beginning to illuminate the highways across the Rocky Mountain range. Here in town, we are a little slower to see the change, yet the trees who have been soaking up and slurping sunshine all summer are now reflecting back the golden rays that are waning with the shortened days.

Every day, more leaves crunch beneath my feet as I walk. A smile is impressed on my face during the small moments of joy, and I feel like a kid again jumping around and smashing leaves. Regardless of what is happening around me, I am reminded that today is a good day to choose delight and concentrate on reflecting His presence. Just like the trees, I try to soak up and slurp in His golden light during seasons of plenty and famine. The chill in the air beacons me to find and embrace the moments of warmth where I find them – a cup of coffee, the hug of a friend, a loving word softly spoken.

While there are many lessons to be learned during harvest season, today I learn from the trees, who are giving up their adornment and yielding fruit for others to enjoy. Soon they will reveal their inner skeleton for all to see. Such vulnerability! Perhaps we (viewers) forget the cost of an empty tree – all that they gave up – during the long stretches of darkness which are so oppressive to many during winter. We long for the warm days filled with juicy fruit and reminisce of what was. During those times, we will remember budding springs, lush summers, and the fruitful autumns that have laid bare a winter tree.

But for today, we get to enjoy a golden October day.