I suppose that I should not care about such things but I am just vain enough to eschew shorts and skimpy bathing suits as I age and my body clearly shows the passage of time. I really celebrate the coming of fall because it brings long pants and baggy sweaters out of storage and into my daily fashions. I not only look better and younger with a bit of coverage but the colors enhance my complexion as well. Perhaps this is because I was born in November. I seem to have been destined to festoon myself in reds, browns, oranges and golden shades of yellow. A fall palate makes me look alive.
Fall also infuses me with a burst of energy. I can ramble about outdoors without wilting in ninety degree sun. I get my vitamin D naturally as I suddenly feel good about taking long walks that wore me out only weeks ago. I’m an autumn girl if ever there was.
I like the apples and oranges and pumpkins and squash that come with the season. I have to visit The Cheesecake factory at this time of year to enjoy my annual slice of pumpkin cheesecake. There was a time when I ordered a whole cake for my birthday and ended up eating slice after slice all by myself without gaining a pound. Now just looking at it adds a pound or two to my chubby physique but the clothes of autumn cover the flaws quite well.
Of course I always decorate my home for fall. This year I cut down on how much I set out just a bit. I have a tendency to overdo and this year I only used my favorite items which have meaningful memories. It looks so very nice with my pared down Marie Kondo style. I can tell a story about a person or a place or an event attached to every pumpkin or pinecone and I remember the joy of those moments when I gaze at them in the months and weeks before the Christmas season.
The birthdays of my grandchildren, people I love, and myself are crammed into September, October and November. Even though fall does not officially begin until the twenty second I consider everyone born in September to be child of the fall. My father begins the marathon on September 2, then comes my husband on September 20, followed by my first grandson on September 26. There must be something quite special about September babies because even my friends who were born in September are wise, generous and loving like these three men who have brought me such joy during my life.
October is twin month. My granddaughter and grandson, Abby and Ian, celebrate on October 1. Identical grandsons, Ben and Eli, come along on October 18. In between all of the frivolities is October 4 which is my anniversary commemorating the best life choice that I ever made. This year I will spending much of October in London, Scotland and Paris with my husband Mike to celebrate life in general. I can’t think of a more perfect month to embark on such a wonderful journey. Luckily we will get back in time for Halloween and the annual party that happens every year on our street.
November is the month of my birth. I was born in the long ago on November 18. I never dreamed of being as old as I will be. I somehow never imagined being a senior citizen with wrinkles and arthritis but here I am and I plan to squeeze as much out of the coming years as I am fortunate enough to do. I will find myself especially thankful this year that I have enjoyed a life filled with so many incredible people and so much love.
The days will slowly but surely become just a bit more cool. The leaves will fall from the trees and we will store our tropical plants inside our garage. We’ll eat more warm soup and end our time outside much earlier when the sun begins to go down not long after the neighborhood children arrive home from school. it will be a time for hot chocolate and lots of reading of books. Sometimes it will even be cool enough for a fire in our fireplace, a kind of silly fixture in the climate of the Texas Gulf Coast.
One day I must find my way to the northeast to see the wonderful colors of autumn. I want to walk through Central Park when it is ablaze with all those hues that I love so much. I want to sip on apple cider and watch the tapping of trees for syrup. There is still so much to do and see and experience when autumn comes each year. My hope is to be around to do those things.
All in all fall will renovate me just as it always does. My aches and pains will seem to miraculously disappear. I will be full of life and eager to arise each day to get the most out of the time of year that always make me feel at my best.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 