All That Fall Brings
I woke up this morning to a chilly Fall welcome here on the West Coast. There’s something about cool weather that just energizes me and makes things feel new and fresh. I know most people feel that way about Spring but for me, Fall brings about the feeling of newness; new beginnings. Strangely, though, I also feel a bit emotional as Fall begins. Maybe it’s the sadness of something ending but every year around this time, from, as far back as I can remember, I feel a little heavy-hearted. Not sure how the two feelings are reconciled, honestly, but there’s always that strange mix of letting go and embracing something new.
It’s hard to believe that we are less than 10 weeks away from Christmas and the end of the year. It’s amazing how quickly it sneaks up on us but here we are. The sounds of Friday night high school football games come through my windows, every social media post is about pumpkin spice something (which is fine by me!) and the retail stores already have out Christmas decorations. But for some, the approaching holidays are not so welcome. This time of year brings about a lot of pain and anxiety for those who have lost loved ones or have just lost their way in life. It makes me think about those who I love that are battling disease at this very moment and those who have gone home after a long fight. I miss my friends that are no longer with me; I miss my grandmother, the sweetest darling this earth has ever known. I mourn that people I’ve lost, the opportunities I’ve missed, the things I didn’t get accomplished yet but I choose not to stay there.
Today I choose to celebrate the wins. The people whose lives I’ve touched in small ways this year; the goals that I have met; the moments when everything stopped just so that I could hold my granddaughter in my arms until she stopped crying. I celebrate the things I’ve seen God do in my life and in my family; the prayers He has answered, the people He has brought into my life that have made an impact on me. I celebrate worship music that transports me to His presence and verses in the Bible that ignite my passion for the things of God daily. I celebrate my family that makes me laugh constantly in group texts and friends that love me for me.
But it’s important to remember that for some, it takes more than just a conscious decision to not allow the hardships in life to keep them down. There are those who are struggling quietly, desperately and they need us. They need our prayers, they need our support and they need us to understand that they may need more than a positive outlook. Ask the hard questions if someone you love doesn’t seem quite right to you. Trust that instinct that something is off. I struggle so much with what to say to those who are mourning lost loved ones as the holidays approach but I honestly don’t think there are perfect words for us to all know and repeat. Just be there, let them know that you love them. Those are the best words you can possibly say.
As Fall approaches, remember to celebrate the wonderful things in life. Take stock but don’t linger on what you haven’t gotten done yet. To dream big means that you embrace the journey. The journey is much more important than the destination!
