I really an more of a summer person, but I have always thought it was very generous of God to give us the transitional seasons of fall and spring to ease us into the extreme seasons of winter and summer! I have only ever lived in Michigan or Ohio and so I have always had the benefit of enjoying the beautiful fall colors as the trees become brilliant red, orange and yellow. The colors haven’t changed yet here in my part of Ohio as we have been blessed with a few more warm summer-like days. The nip of fall isn’t in the air yet either.
The biggest challenge the change of seasons brings for a mom of many, is the sorting and packing of the summer clothes, and bringing out all the warmer clothes. Keeping track of the different sizes and what needs to be kept and what sizes everyone wears now is always a challenge. Everyone enjoys the different clothes though, some new, some given, some hand-me-downs. Getting reaquainted with a favorite sweater or sweat shirt, or even one of my favorite pair of sweat pants is a favorite part of fall. With a baby in the house, I love to see her wearing her sister’s baby clothes and how sweet she looks in some of my favorite little girl clothes.
Fall brings with it the soccer season, which is becoming more and more daunting for us each year. This year I have four players and one toddler. Getting to the games, keeping the snack and drink schedule straight and arriving at the correct field is always an effort that requires precision record keeping on our master calendar!
Now that Calvin can drive, I have had the opportunity twice this week to allow him to drive to a few of the practices and a couple of the games. Which is not to say that I will become a lady of leisure anytime soon, but it takes some of the pressure off when I have to decide between letting the baby take her nap in the crib or stuffing her into the car seat to travel to a soccer field. I think maybe it helps the kids to appreciate their older brother a bit more too.
For us the season also brings the challenge of walking the parks in the Metro Parks Walking Spree. Every year in our area, the residents are invited to walk eight of the assigned trails. If you walk all eight before November 30, you get a walking staff if it is your first year. If you already have earned your walking stick, you get a shield for it. We didn’t get all of our walks in last year with the new baby, but we are determined to get them all in this year, even if it means walking them all on Thanksgiving weekend!
This fall is also bringing us the new season of homecoming dances and festivities. Calvin’s digital academy doesn’t have any such activities, but he has nonetheless been invited to attend with some of his friends at other schools. Tonight he is going to his very first homecoming with his cousin Natalie, and her friends. He has a new suit coat that we got for a bargain at the thrift store, and a new shirt and tie. He has money from his lifeguard job and even picked up the coursage for his date. Of course Mr. Pete and I will be at home hoping that he is having a good time, praying that he stays safe and counting on Aunt Kay to take lots of digital pictures!!
The weeks of fall bring important litugical celebrations. The Feasts of the Guardian Angels, St. Francis and St. Theresa are some of our family’s favorites. We also look forward to All Saints, and All Souls as well as the prelude into Advent!!
So my family lives through the transition of the seasons, of growing up, of laughing and praying, and meeting new challenges and reaching new milestones. The transitional season of fall reminds us to stop and enjoy it all along the way.