It seems only fitting that for our first day of Fall our weather has gone from unseasonably warm to right on season. Although it looks like a balmy +25 or more outside, it is only +13. I thought I was being smart putting myself and my little guy in our clam diggers one last time. Then we headed outside, it was an about face for jeans and long sleeves topped with a little sweatshirt!
Summer is definately my number one season, but Fall comes a close second. I love pulling out the chunky sweaters and going for walks on a sunny day and coming back with cold red cheeks. With Fall comes Thanksgiving, always a special time for our family to get together. I do love the changing leaves, but being in a new neighbourhood our trees aren’t in abundace yet, so I have to go for a walk in the forest to get the feel of a colourful Fall. Then there is apple cider or hot chocolate in front of a fire. Small pleasures really, but ones that I am grateful for.
So we say so long (can you tell I am watching Blues Clues) to summer for another year, and boy it was a good one. With record breaking temperatures (my favorite) and lots of sun and fun things to do outside, I can’t complain about any of it. As Fall comes in and we make the change with the clothes and the linens and pull out jackets and mittens, I only ask for one thing. A long Fall. A Fall that stretches well into November with great days and cool nights and no snow until just before Christmas when the time is right to enjoy that too.
Welcome Fall.
Danigirl posted this question on her blog yesterday, so I thought I would give it a whirl. Bear with me as there many things around my house that remind me to be blissful or that life is precious, so I will have to pick a few.
First off is my mantel. It isn’t really supposed to look like this it was temporary, but I haven’t put up the little shelves that are supposed to house all these little trinkets so for now they sit on my mantel. It is my reminder of the beach, my happy place, my home away from home. Each of the little blocks of wood represent a store or restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. They are called “Cat’s Meow” and they are supposed to sit ontop of doorframes. In our new homes here there are no door frames on the main level to hold the “Cat’s Meow”. The first time I bought one was the first year I took my husband to the beach, and we add on every year. Sometimes I buy two if they are little ones, and once in a while my Mom will bring one home for me. Anytime of the year I can look at my little beach and feel that I am in my happy place.
Above my mantel hangs a mirror made of an old barn window. My Uncle made this for my Husband and I as a wedding gift. It has so many special meanings that I will tear up just writing this. My Uncle never went to any family weddings (of all the cousins), he did not even attend his own kids weddings. Our wedding was the first one he was going to attend. We were getting married on his Birthday. He remembered that I said I loved the mirror he made for his daughter so he made us one and put a scripture on the bottom (Matthew 19:6). My Uncle went into the hospital the day before my wedding and passed away a few months later (from lukemia and other ailments he didn’t know he had). Some days when life seems to be a bit rough I stand in front of the mirror and think of him, he always makes me smile.
This crazy painting was done by our oldest. He was ten when he painted it. It was hanging on his mother’s fridge and one day when my Husband was picking him up he said how much he liked it. That year for Father’s day my Husband received it framed and wrapped up. It is special in so many ways, the only Father’s day gift he has received from our oldest guy and the only time his mother actually helped him put one together. I know so many parents that have boxes and boxes of artwork from their kids. We only have a small folder from our oldest and all of it was done at our place. This is the only thing we have that he did at school. It is so wonky and crazy and I love it.
I have so many more, but these few little tidbits are some of the brightest spots in my house, so I thought I would share them.
Sadly, I must report that the search for Jennifer is now over. Yesterday they found a body. And I prayed with all my heart that it was not her. I prayed that she would arrive home last night alive and full of life. But, that was not to be. She was identified today. So now the search continues, for clues, for information, for reasons, for her killers.
It is such a sad thing, but I am happy for one thing. Her parents won’t spend the rest of their lives wondering if she will walk in the door. They have her back and they can lay her to rest.
Although I did not know her, I grieve her loss. I greive as a Mother, as a Woman, as a Resident of her comunity.
My prayers go out to her family and to the Officers that will work hard to bring her killers to justice. My hope is that all parents that have heard of Jennifer, think twice before letting their kids walk home after dark.
Let her death not be in vain, let us all learn something.
