Falling For Fall

I love fall weather. There is something so comforting about curling up in a blanket at night cuddled next to Keith, then snuggling for warmth again in the morning. (Unfortunately it makes getting out of bed tougher!) Add to that the warm sunshine during the day and it makes for perfect weather. There are other aspects of fall I don’t like: getting up in the morning while it is still dark; going home from work in the dark; hearing the kids complain it is cold in the house when they wake up, then complaining it is too hot when they get home from school; and never knowing how to dress for the day. I have about six jackets in the car right now because I wear one in the morning, take it off when the temperature rises and forget it in the back seat.

The crispness of fall brings with it the amazing colors and the fresh smell in the air that can never be duplicated by any deodorant sprays known to man. Fall reminds me of growth, re-growth and the promise of life. I watch the leaves turn and fall; see the trees appear to lifeless and bare; then watch as the warm spring winds bring buds to the branches and life to the yard and garden. God’s promise of rebirth is all around.

Fall has always been the month when I notice how much the boys have grown, too. Summer shorts can be deceiving. Winter pants tell all! When Caleb put on the first pair of jeans since late spring, it was obvious by the clear view of his ankles that he had grown…substantially. He is now about 2-3 inches taller than I am. My baby is taller than me…and even if he stops growing right now, he will continue to grow taller than me as I shrink with old age.

The twins are growing, also, to the dismay of Molly. As much as we want our children to stay little and dependent, it isn’t meant to be! Luke and Logan are crawling and trying to walk and they have the tell-tale red marks on their foreheads to remind us of their occasional missteps. Soon those foreheads will have the same type of marks as they discover they are too tall to walk under cabinets or to stand under the table. Soon after that more bumps and bruises will appear from walking into the side mirrors of cars in the parking lots that used to be higher than the tops of their heads. Bruises will be replaced by abrasions as they learn to ride bikes and skateboards. Pretty soon Molly and Tim will be mending broken hearts as they learn the tough lessons of love and friendship. Time flies, it sounds so cliché, yet it is so true.

Caleb mentioned a few days ago that he can’t believe he has been in high school for two months already. I can’t believe it either! I met a young gal at a work event last week. She told me about her kids, six months and three years old. When I told her that mine were 27, 21, 19 and 15 and that I had twin grandsons who are almost one, she was very quiet. Part of me hoped it was because I just don’t look old enough…but I know it was because she was, in that instant, picturing herself in 20+ years. That “deer-in-the-headlights” look is unmistakeable. I know, I have been the deer a few times in my life.

Time goes on, wrinkles and grey hair take over, makeup takes longer to apply over the dark circles and brown spots, the clothes fit a bit tighter and I see all those around me aging a bit, too. Then I think of Fall and the empty trees and brown grass and often grey skies and I remember that this season will also pass; that this season has its beauty and its bleakness; that this season holds the promise of growth, re-growth and life. I remember that while I change, God stays the same and His love for me never grows old and that makes the dark times of fall a little easier to get through and the bright times even more glorious.

Follwing the Crowd

I was at the stop light on 83rd & Maple yesterday heading west. The red light seemed to take longer than usual and of course I was in a hurry. As I impatiently waited, something odd happened; the vehicle next to me (a white SUV) accelerated and went through the intersection. My first thought was that the light changed and I didn’t see it, but glancing upwards the light was still clearly red. Before too long, cars behind the rogue vehicle followed. One by one drivers ignored the traffic light and proceeded. I continued to stare at the light, certain that the other drivers were seeing something I didn’t; but the light was not yet green!

The fifth car stopped; slowly inched forward, then floored it, narrowly missing the car in the east bound lane, now free to turn with a green arrow. The last driver’s hesitation at breaking the law almost caused an accident. I shook my head in disbelief and wondered why do people follow other people who make poor decisions? Safety in numbers?

This isn’t the first time I witnessed poor judgment passed down to others. Everyday I encounter a stop light clearly marked NO Turn on Red 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Yet everyday one car will ignore the sign and not only do others follow, but the drivers obeying will often get honked at or be the recipients of dirty looks. How dare we do what’s right when it may inconvenience others!

Bullying is a prime example of taking poor judgment and running with it. One mean-spirited person is all it takes to create groups of taunters and teasers.

I love the Liberty Mutual Insurance commercials which depict good deeds being paid forward. They are examples of seeing good behavior and following with additional acts of kindness. Why can’t more people follow good behavior? Why can’t more people give good examples worthy of a following?

Today, make a conscience effort to do a good deed, an act of kindness. Tell someone they look nice; congratulate a co-worker on a job well-done; tell the maintenance person that the floor they just finished mopping looks great; help someone pick up their spilled groceries; let a waiting car into the long line of traffic; then pray that others may follow your example. Now the hard part: don’t follow someone’s bad behavior! There is too much bad behavior these days, don’t add to it!

The Lord clearly tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, let’s spread some of that love around!