Fall...

                  There is a right time for everything:  2 

A time to be born; A time to die;

A time to plant; A time to harvest;

3 

A time to kill; A time to heal;

A time to destroy; A time to rebuild;

4 

A time to cry; A time to laugh;

A time to grieve; A time to dance;

5 

A time for scattering stones;
A time for gathering stones;

A time to hug; A time not to hug;

6 

A time to find; A time to lose;

A time for keeping; A time for throwing away;

7 

A time to tear; A time to repair;

A time to be quiet; A time to speak up;

8 

A time for loving; A time for hating;

A time for war; A time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 

Living Bible

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 Fall 

             When I was young, the new school year began in September—fall—a new beginning bundled with excitement, anticipation, new experiences, seeing my friends and meeting new ones.

            Fall was the time to look forward to new: notebooks, pencils, lunch box, and a few clothes.  I especially loved the new box of underpants presented in a divided box for the seven days of the week; the day was embroidered on the side of each pair greeting me in seven different glorious colors.

            When I began my career as a teacher, I relived the excitement of a new school year.   I found enjoyment in purchasing a new, crisp, clean, teacher’s plan book and, I treated myself to some new outfits and always new underwear.

            When I became Dean of the Department, my life still revolved around the academic year; only now August had become the beginning of the new school year.

           

As a retired person, I still carry 

the image of fall offering up

new beginnings.  I think of my mom

as I design and arrange my fall
centerpiece for my dining room 

table; I remember her taking delight 

in welcoming each new season 

and holiday with different table 

decorations.  I love hanging the colorful dried leaves and flowers put together in a wreath my granddaughter made when she was in elementary school. I find myself smiling a
I set out new, tall, thin, tapers, the color of exquisite burnt orange.

            As I write, this I realize the word “Ours” has now melted into “My.”

For 31 years Eddie and I loved cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for our families—now there are no more Thanksgivings at my home.  Last year I gave my daughter our beautiful china platter, which held our turkeys for all those fun and wonderful years of celebration; now it’s time for new traditions to be born.

            I welcome Fall with its pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bagels, my sister’s tasty pumpkin bread, my daughters delicious pumpkin cookies, and I applaud and give thanks  for   God’s  gifts of colorful leaves and crisp fresh air setting the scene for new experiences and discoveries for me to make about living my life forward.

            The changes of the seasons reminds us that God’s love for us is everlasting and always there for us each day of our lives.  I say “Thank You.”

Written by Connie Clark