Good Morning…
Yesterday we rode up a road called Haynesville Woods
Road. It pretty much goes through a wilderness with only widely scattered
houses. Storm’s Grandfather helped to build this road and we wanted to see the
result of his work. It is really beautiful there, but it makes a person wonder
what the people who are basically isolated in that area do for a living. There
is a town at the north end of the road called Houlten. Maybe they just drive
long distances to get to work much like the commuters in the central valley do
in order to be better able to afford more economical housing. Maine is much more rural…more like the areas
in north eastern California. We had lunch in Houlton and then turned around to
go to Bangor to spend the night.
It was a beautiful day.
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Today is a food for thought kind of writing about the change of the season
from Summer to Fall which will be happening before we know it. The writing,
originally called “Fall,” was written by Connie Clark. She talks about the
past, present and future. The proceeding to Fall is reflected in her life which
has changed and required new ways of doing things. This not only happens
between seasons but also in the stages of life that need adjustment and new
ways of living. Connie wrote, “God’s
gifts of colorful leaves and crisp fresh air are setting the scene for new
experiences and discoveries for me to make about living my life forward."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fall
is Approaching
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 as 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—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
will welcome Fall with its pumpkin lattes, pumpkin bagels, my sister’s tasty
pumpkin bread, my daughter’s delicious pumpkin cookies, and I will applaud and
give thanks for God’s gifts of colorful
leaves and crisp fresh air are setting the scene for new experiences and discoveries
for me to make about living my life forward.
The
changes of the seasons remind 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
~~~~~~~~
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