My favourite season! And what a beautiful day it is here in the Ottawa area…We never quite know when the big change will happen, and stay so every day of weather such as this, Wow!
I just checked, and apparently 57% of Canadians prefer the summer as their favourite season, and that 88% of Canadians say they like that we experience four distinct seasons. Not really surprised but for me, it is autumn that comes in first. For me it is the season that is most enjoyable in terms of activities and weather (even if it is getting colder), and the days of recognition and celebration are all so meaningful. National Day of Reconciliation is first chronologically but is closely followed by Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day, with Halloween thrown in as a bonus day.
Yet for me, this is the season of thanksgiving every day. While I appreciate that there are many issues and challenges, and that for each of us, we face both good and bad days, every day when I wake up, I make an honest effort to choose positive. And autumn seems to bring that out best in me.
As I sit here in my backyard with Orlaith at my feet, and look about the oasis we get to enjoy (even with the pool closed), and enjoy this weather, I am thankful. Big change this past week was getting signed up with and meeting our new family doctor (Yippee!) and yet there was a lot more – and with the promise of more to come. Cheers!
Autumn
One of the seasons, autumn is a period of transition
Yet there is joy in good byes and hello to traditions
Goodbyes to the shorts; hello sweaters and pants
Hang Christmas lights and take out the plants
The weather it varies from hot, cold and mild
There may be rain and snow, and the wind may be wild
Yet the skiies are much bluer and the stars more vivid at night
The sun rises later but seems so much more bright
Changing from green to yellows, orange and reds
We get October, when we’re thankful for what we’re fed
The air is crisp and there may be frost on the ground
The leaves no longer in trees, but falling down
The squirrels search for nuts as they frantically scurry
The geese overhead flap their wings as they do hurry
There are sports aplenty as they both start and end
The coming together of strangers and friends
Craft sales in the churches; Fall fairs in small towns
Planting bulbs in the gardens; preparing for winter all around
Pumpkins with faces; poppies worn on one’s chest
Harvest completed and then time to digest
We close up the pool and set up the Christmas tree
Drink less lemonade and more hot chocolate and tea
We celebrate thanksgiving, and dress up for Halloween
It’s like not being child or adult but caught in between
It’s a season of change; a chance to revisit our goals
Open ourselves to new vistas and replenish our soul
Autumn is also known as Fall but is a time to rise up
A season to celebrate and to raise your cup.