'Tis the season...

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. It starts with the smell of aging maple leaves and the collage of color that is nature. It ends with a warm place to read a book and a search for good leftover recipes. It is naturally a reflective time. The year is coming to a close, the feast of All Saints and a month of remembering loved ones who past away is the center of the season. In Ohio, the crops have been harvested and cooking takes on a warm, aromatic, comfort-food smell that fills the world. The highlight of my day is evening prayer followed by snuggling into a relaxing spot and reading just what you want to read. In my case, that is a newspaper, a true crime book, something on Sacred Scripture or my faith... almost anything but fiction. I like the quiet hour and let my mind wander to all of my happy places, alone with God, my only companion, for conversation.

Reading and reflection are a preferred pass time for me. There is nothing more intimate than reading. The only sense engaged, if you are a seeing person, is sight. No words are spoken aloud and only you are privy to what your mind holds and The Lord's Sacred Heart is the only one who knows what is being experienced. You give away the control of your thoughts to God and He helps you interpret the writing of another soul. There is nothing more satisfying than experiencing the purity of His Will that is found in this activity.

I also like the happy laughter of children playing outside, completely enjoying what nature has left for them to play & the final hours of sunlight which grow shorter as the season progresses. The changing landscape offers divergent fodder for their imaginations and they are happy to share it with you through the joyful noise they make. Then, involuntarily, you are given another memory moment: your own childhood laughter as you slam into a pile of raked leaves or play touch football with a reasonably sized gourd. God blesses children with the most athletic period of their lives. Pound for pound, children are the most physically efficient creatures among all mammals. I remember feats of daring that I was so eager to attempt then, but cannot remember when I lost "the nerve". Thankfully, I never lost the laughter and re experience it every fall.

So, I suppose that autumn is the most likely time for Thanksgiving. All generations gathering together, celebrating everything that makes our lives special and thanking Our Lord and Saviour for allowing us to have those things in our lives. As I sat at the dinner table with my dear Uncle Norris & Aunt Ruth, who had led the Thanksgiving prayer thanking us for the ability to have this year's gathering, it made for most pleasant dining. I will cherish that moment forever, as both of them, who have no grown children or grandchildren, both gushed with pride and reflected with teary eyes on the memories of their two daughters, both of whom went Home to Jesus as babies. What a testament to the sanctity of life! Their love for each other is so incredible, two people in their 80's who are just as in love as they were almost 60 years ago. They are fully aware of exactly how special, how worthy of thanks the life they were given together and gifted by God as their children to have received. They shared that example of Christ's love with me and my daughters. Both girls gathered memories like those that I have of the season.

Now, Advent is upon us and how appropriate the season to follow Thanksgiving. A month to again reflect and prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. I happily put the Advent Wreath in the center of the dining table. From that wreath will flow the makings of Christmas decorations and plans for the Christmas season begin to take shape. I can think of no better way to conclude one year and begin another! The simpler the celebrations, the happier we seem to be. Joyous, humble, pious is the Child in the manger. Yes, autumn gives us a time of reflection and preparation for the One who leaves a smile on my face.