The Most Awesome Time of Year

I had almost waited too long. Tightening a bow on my walking sneakers, I headed out. My favorite season was beckoning … no time to wash the kitchen floor. Leaping off the front steps I hollered a “yes” to the skies. The cerulean blue above was a serene backdrop to the grand golden, crimson and auburn leaf dance … the hearty branches orchestrated in an elegant sway and dip.

Autumn was in the neighborhood … and beginning to wane.

Giddy, steps slowed as I enjoyed the harvest feast around me. Such beauty to soak up, the feathering of foliage forcing my view upward. A desire to sear this panoramic sight in my brain.

The life of saplings and elders before me, of maple and oak and dogwood. So full of Crayola grandeur … simple and majestic against the sky.

For so long they had been still. Quiet. Waiting. Soaking in many a raindrop and warming ray. Then. Yielding to the yawn of timber and branch, as hints of bright green, forming into tight buds … a warming breeze easing fresh verdant growth. Strong sunlight flitting through branch and leaf. Strengthening and soaring the heights in might and elegance. Embracing the goodness of becoming. For a lazy sunny moment.

But … now yielding to awesome color and fragility of leaf.

Gusts of mighty winds swiftly light upon each branch. The sway of thick branch loosening the blended hues. As they part and drift. And dance on out stretched palm … floating easily into a mound of browning leaves.

In the dirt path, shoes crunch with delight, remembering days of long ago. When such happenings tickled the heart with giggles of delight. As majestic leaves brimmed my pockets.

Chilling gusts swirling leaves about. Swiftly thin celestial vapors yielding to shades of gray. Piercing of sunray swallowed by menacing clouds. The field fast heralding nightfall. Numbing my neck, tingling my fingertips.

A hint of icy wet nipped my nose. Arching a cheek, a delicate of flake, lighted with grace and elegance. Brushing the gathering flakes from my sleeve, a chuckle shook with inner delight. Peace and goodness my friend. Hills and valleys my comrade.

Rising streak of golden sun as it crisply edged the clouds…painter’s brush of rosy glow.

A quickening of natural beauty.

When suddenly a frosty gust sliced through my thin jacket. It was time to depart; to a place with contrived warmth and light. Not ever to replace this serendipitous moment.

Of finding myself at home.

… “and that’s how I live it.”