Autumn Memories

Autumn was my Dad's favourite time of year. While fall has never been my favourite season – only because winter is close behind - it does have its own beauty which I appreciate. Driving down tree-lined streets shimmering in gold and red is breath taking. The first warning of winter appears with shorter days and cooler nights. Bringing in produce from the garden, emptying flower pots and raking leaves are melancholy reminders to enjoy those last few days of beautiful weather before winter winds start to blow.
Fall seems to bring parents and children together, in an attempt to enjoy the dying days of summer. Tonight I saw a mom staking leaves in a pile so that her little boy could jump into it, much to his delight. My niece posted pictures on facebook of her three-year-old twins playing in the leaves in their back yard. In the store, I saw children and their parents looking over Halloween costumes, in search of the perfect one. Thanksgiving meals are being planned for families to enjoy together.
Autumn for me brings a vision of my dad raking leaves, stopping to lean on his rake to tell me how this is his favourite season. That picture of him is ingrained in mind forever. He loved fall. He enjoyed the change in weather from the hot days of summer to the crisp, clean air of autumn. I think fall was the only season he could take the time to really enjoy. As a farmer, spring was busy with seeding, summer with all demanding work of farming, and fall was the tension-filled days of harvesting. Once the harvest was completed, he had time to enjoy nature and to appreciate fall days.
My dad died in fall. The anniversary of his death was this week. The day of his funeral, my older sister and I commented to each other how fitting it was his life ended in the season he loved. As we buried him, red and gold leaves flew, and the air was crisp and clean. Harvest was done. Dad’s work was completed.
Over the years since he passed away, autumn is the time of year I feel closest to Dad and when my memories of him are the strongest. He is there with me when I rake, clean flower beds and bring in the garden. Without fail, every year when red and golden leaves blow across the yard and when the air turns cool, in my mind’s eye I see Dad, leaning on his shovel and telling me that fall is his favourite time of year. Remembering a special reason for each season . . . it's a good thing.

Family

This week-end, I went to my nephew’s wedding. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly, the skies were clear and blue and the wedding was perfect. Family came from near and far to share in this special day. Every occasion my family gets together like this provides the opportunity to reconnect with nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws. I enjoy the inter-action between the generations. Young and old, we are related and we learn from each other. We are safe in the unconditional love that we have for each other. Sometimes it amazes me how we are all so alike and yet so different from each other. We are family – and we are secure in the knowledge that we have each other’s backs no matter what life throws at us.
As I watched my nephew and his bride exchange vows, the years peeled away. I remembered being in a different town, watching my brother and his bride exchange vows. For a moment, it was surreal that I was now witnessing their youngest child being married. Later on at the dance, I watched our littlest relatives running and playing on the dance floor. The adults took turns holding and enjoying new babies. It doesn’t seem that long ago it was I and my siblings playing with cousins at family weddings, and watching my parents admire new additions. Before we knew it, our own children took over that role. I remember my five-year-old son in his role as ring-bearer, wearing a little white tux, running and playing with his cousins. They are now all adults.
Where have the years gone? Does this make me old? I have realized at other family events that I am witnessing generational passages. Our children are graduating from high school and university, getting married and having babies. They were children only yesterday, when did they grow up and begin having children of their own?
Our family is growing. New boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives are becoming a part of our circle and new babies are beginning to appear. The next generation is on the move. I am quickly becoming one of “the old aunts” – a title once relegated to my father’s sisters. While I love the young people in our family, I wish time would slow down just a little. Allow me to get used to having grown children and to seeing my siblings with grown children. Now we are suddenly grand-parents, great-aunts and great-uncles.
It is amazing how quickly time is passing and how each new generation in stepping into the role of the previous one. It is, as they say in the Lion King, “the circle of life”. Each stage of life is precious and brings its challenges and rewards. Savour every moment.