22 September 2008

Welcome, Autumn.


autumn in central park, 2006

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, one of two times a year when the day and night are of equal length. I'm not sure what that means, besides the fact that cool weather is coming. Yes, cool weather is coming to the land of Texas which this summer dried to a crisp. Here, Autumn, not Spring, is when we emerge from our hibernation. We get to drink morning tea+coffee not encased in an air-conditioned home, but on the back steps gazing into the yard as the squirrels scamper high in the trees. Autumn is when we get to take a walk in the middle of day without breaking a sweat. Autumn is when we dust off our firepit and start gathering stray branches to use as kindling.

There are exactly 37 days until we leave on our annual Autumn Trip to New Jersey & New York City! Oh, the memories I have there at every season, but especially this time of year...sipping a warm drink while walking up Park Avenue to Central Park. Enjoying a slow afternoon on a patio in the East Village. Layering on a jacket (and perhaps a light scarf) as evening sets in. Heading off to dinner in the coolness. This year, we'll get to take a true vacation for an entire week...no computers, no meetings, no schedule. We'll get to see our dear friends and New Yorkers The Sullivans. We might even take a drive to Connecticut and stop at roadside apple farms. I look forward to walking the leaf-carpeted sidewalks of my hometown, helping my dad bag leaves in the back yard, sitting on a bench and just staring, meditating on the change of seasons, and simultaneously, the change in me.

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."
~Elizabeth Lawrence

The more I slow down my life, the more I realize we were meant to live with the rhythms of the earth. There is a reason we have seasons, and oh, how I need this Autumn to refresh me and remind me...that if not even one leaf goes untouched by God, then He can surely take care of me.

13 comments:

marisa said...

i love seasons, too (esp. fall!) ...and you :)
so envious of your new england adventure on the horizon!!

AcresofHope said...

Okay, I am a total lurker who has never commented before, but I love this blog! This post and the ones on Sabbath made me think of Matthew 11:28-30 in the Message version. "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I like that. The unforced rhythms of grace.

Ange said...

I know exactly what you mean. Autumn refreshes me too! And with little Abby on the way (18 days!), I can only imagine what it's going to be like this year.

Love you, Christine!

Robyn Jones Clark said...

your last sentence rings very true! thank you, my sweet christine for your post! i needed to hear that today. :)i'm jealous of your trip... i want to go somewhere.. i guess i need to start planning some sort of wedding so i can take the honeymoon! haha..

Mandy said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. So good to read and so refreshing. I have a hard time with fall because I know it's a sign of colder days to come, but I'm learning, slowly, to accept the change in seasons and in life.

You make me want to go to NYC right now too!!! "Don't you just love New York in the fall?" (You've Got Mail)

Lauren said...

glad to see a blog from you, my friend. my fellow jersey girl and autumn lover :) thanks for your always refreshing perspective <3

Mandy said...

Seriously, we definitely would be friends! So funny!

Well if you're ever in the midwest, you should let me know. And if I ever come to Dallas, I'll be sure to let you know!

It would be fun to go to New York or somewhere fun and meet up there someday!

Madi said...

yeah for a new post! a beautiful one too, of course. i loved your last sentence...so refreshing.

jenni said...

Lovely, Stine. Cheers to autumn, my favorite season. Even in Houston.

Christine said...

AcresofHope - how did you hear about my blog? Also, I saw you live in Dallas too?

AcresofHope said...

I do live in Dallas! I know Lori Goode, who's blog is linked to yours. That's how I ended up here a few months ago!

Amy Alexander said...

I absolutely love the picture of the leaves on the sidewalk! Can you e-mail it to me? I want to make it the wallpaper on my computer, if that is ok with you!

Shawna said...

i am just now catching up on your blog. wow - it's been a while and i love how refreshing it is. you always inspire me in some way - spiritually, mentally, creatively - i am so thankful for you and can't wait for our night out!!!