Hey, Everyone!
I’m looking out of my parents’ front window as I write today, and the first thing I notice are the big trees in the yard. Probably because my father, in his quest to have trees all around him, planted a couple when they moved into this house ten years ago, and they’ve finally reached the point where–in full bloom–they truly are all that you can see. But I digress. As I look at them with their red leaves that are starting to droop and fall, I’m reminded that Summertime is over and Fall is here.
Off the bat, that makes me sad, because I know winter is around the corner. I’m very much like Gianluca: I need it to be Summer! I need it to be warm and sunny, and I really don’t think I’m overstating it when I say that I hate Winter; I really do. Not even listening to Buon Natale a million times would change that–and we know how much I love that album. I think it has something to do with spending about half of my life in places like Montana and Wisconsin…
But, as I continue to look at the trees, I’m reminded of something else: Fall is a very beautiful time of the year, with it’s own special feelings, emotions and traditions. I shouldn’t let the fact that Winter is coming taint that for me. I should embrace the beauty that is Fall while it is here, and worry less about what comes after it.
For me, Fall means a few things, and I hope you don’t mind indulging me while I think about them:
It means, My favorite sweater and throw blanket when I’m relaxing at home. There is something so comforting about being able to curl up with a good book, TV show or whatever I’m doing and feeling cozy and warm.
It means, Enjoying a hot Caramel Machiato instead of a cold one. Making that switch with the seasons reminds of times 
when my best friend and I would get together at the local Starbucks and spend the afternoon catching up, and inevitably end up with an impossible case of attention-drawing giggles in the middle of the cafe.
It means, Prep sports (particularly football) at the local high-school. My family is far from where we originally were born and grew up, but we feel an ever present nostalgia to the Alma-mater of several generations of our family. We make it a point to all go to at least one game together, and if they make it to the state tournament, you better believe we’re going as long as the tournament is held in our town.
It means, Family. That seems funny for me to say considering how close I am to mine no matter what the season. But for some reason, Fall always brings a sense of togetherness and closeness as we seemingly settle into a routine again. My sister is back to school (as am I), my brother wraps up his extra-curricular sports activities, and both brothers together stop talking about Baseball and start talking about Football. We all–without realizing it really–relax from the summer time of family reunions, graduations, weddings and other miscellaneous gathers, and get ready for College Game Day on Saturday afternoons. Even if we’re not together watching the game, we’re certainly discussing it or texting each other about it after it’s over.
When it comes down to it, my Fall is full of warm, comforting Family times, and that is something that even the approaching dread of Winter can’t steal from me. 🙂
We know The Guys love their families and friends, and they’ve been spending a bit of time with them recently. The slowing down of the season makes that possible for them, and I love to see it.
What are some of your Fall Traditions?
~~ Kelly