When Autumn arrives, a clear crispness fills the air; and, if you’re lucky, most of the tree leaves have transmuted from their summer-green look to a multicolored kaleidoscope of orange, brown, yellow, gray, and red. Gorgeous. You also may see that some trees having thrown off all their leaves stand as naked as skeletons.

Head outside, after taking a moment to figure out which jacket is heavy enough to get you from here to there and possibly adding a hat and/or gloves. Once outside, you may smell smoke from someone’s wood-burning fireplace or (if still allowed) a small open fire where dead branches and leaves are finding their way to ashes. The grass will either be on its’ last leg of green or a mix of golden hues, and wildlife, typically birds and squirrels, seem more intense and active. Probably getting ready for the colder weather.

Is Autumn your favorite season?

For some, possibly not, as Autumn gives notice that plants growing all summer are at their end. No more fresh, juicy tomatoes or other summer garden staples; rather, just dried stalks and stems of what has been. Warm summer nights are replaced by much cooler weather, and heating bills climb. The kids need more layering of clothing when outside, which means more wash. And, the appearance of Autumn reminds us that the end of the year is approaching with its’ many requirements (holidays, wrap-it-up tasks, etc.). On the other hand, who refuses sitting down to a piping hot bowl of soup or a tasty cheesy casserole to take the chill off? No one. And with Daylight Savings time gone, the evenings provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy family and friend companionship while paying a favorite board game or, possibly, time to go solo with a book meant to be read months ago. Plenty to ponder.

Our own life span has its’ seasons just as the year does. Spring, filled with lightness and new growth, reminds us that our childhood years were all about growing and maturing. Summer reflects our adult productive years. Lots to do- lots to see. Hard work. Hard play. Busy. Busy. Busy. Then comes our life’s Autumn. Isn’t that the season where growth has been mostly accomplished? Isn’t that a good time to acknowledge what has been and recognize that we are heading towards, but have not yet reached, the end? Isn’t it the time to take steps to prepare for what comes next before it’s too late? Isn’t there a feeling of “Autumn” found somewhere in the span of loving relationship, a job, a friendship? Ends are inevitable.

Autumn’s lessons are clearly captured as we grown chronologically old. As we reach our Autumn days, we, like those leaves getting ready to fall, show signs of the years’ wear and tear. Those physical changes, however, pale in comparison to the gifts (wisdom, experience, perspective) that people of-an-age still have to share. And, if Autumn’s lessons are truly learned, we each will take that time of slowing down to recognize and give grateful thanks for all the blessings given, and then use the time left to each of us to get ready for whatever is next. Consider the following: donate what is no longer needed to others; fill the time with meaningful things; use the spiritual gifts you’ve been given; and enjoy the fruits of your labor. The season has a purpose and a lesson. Take advantage.