autumn Archives - CONSIDER THIS with Annette Petrick

Backstory

I’ve missed sharing with you on Sunday mornings. So today, with the changing seasons in mind, this story is sent from the Consider This archives.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Autumn

As I write this for you, the mountains are still gleaming green, as they have, all summer. It’s September, but the tones of autumn have not yet touched the leaves.

Soon, they will lose their summer strength and then EXPLODE with the colors of fall. Such a special time, here in the valley. Here in the Shenandoah Valley, folks will travel from afar to witness it for the few special days when nature offers this feast of color and spins the air with the fresh fall smell.

Before we know it, the leaves will have fallen and the cold will take over. Sharp breezes and stinging winds and rain and snow. There will be winter days of dazzling, ice-covered beauty and days of danger and inconvenience as snow interferes with daily comings and goings.

And just when we’ve had enough, those tiny croci will stick their heads up, sometimes from under the snow, with their promise of springtime. And suddenly, before you know it, the world comes to life again in full spring glory.

What a miracle. And it happens, year in and year out. It sweeps through holidays and vacations and visits and events. I never get tired of the progression. I love it, look forward to it, plan for it. Because we can always be assured, it will happen again, ready or not.

P.S.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Early American poet, Anne Bradstreet

[Show #630]

Backstory

Another post-pandemic summer has spun by. Did you get to enjoy it? Mother Nature was on a turbulent ride with wildfires up north, record heat down south, inflation dampening budgets, and unfulfilled airline promises causing disruption. And yet, somehow, July and August wound down fast, and here we are, ready to jump into autumn. It got me thinking.

As Summer Moves On

Summer always seems to end too soon. We’re watching flowers blossom and bloom, birds and bees are doing their thing, and suddenly one day we see that an early tree is losing its leaves. The deep shades of green on the landscape are fading, the grass is taking on a golden tone. It seems to be Mother Nature’s reminder that nothing lasts forever.

No longer can we head out the door barefoot and jacketless. Now the autumn weather requires preparation and thought to keep from being caught somewhere cold and damp. The autumn breeze that cools things down also sets the scene for other changes. New teachers, new schools, new subjects to study, new wardrobes, and new political or philosophical considerations. New friends require rethinking. Some of the values you carried in light of their newly expressed values.

Organizations restart up their activities after the summer hiatus. And you have to choose where you will volunteer and what next year’s passion will be.

And then there is the big issue of balance between work, family, church, community service and your own social life. There may be a new love in your coming winter or a new hobby, or a new favorite haunt.

So much to look forward to that you almost forgive summer for moving on.

P.S. Thanks for being here so many Sunday mornings, reading or listening to these stories. Consider making a comment at the end. Always love to hear from you.

[Show #539]