I wasn’t able to attend InScribe’s Fall Conference. That was a loss for me. However, Charity Mongrain let me know I was named the winner of an InScribe award.
True
story. I have own only two awards for my writing. Both times I was not able
attend the conference. Now I face a dilemma – the next time I enter a contest,
should I stay away or show up? Advice solicited.
As I
have not attended any recent conferences I offer you an ode to my favorite
season. Autumn.
A change is in the air.
It’s in the breeze, in the
trees, inside each and every one of us. And somewhere, not far off, the smoke
of backyard firepits is seasoning the darkening sky.
Each year October arrives all
bluster and invites us to stay outside and enjoy a few more days of color and
light. Some deem the season after summer in the prairies as “fall.” I like the
eastern term, “autumn.”
All too quickly, leaves
change color and fall to the ground, where they await to be raked into clear
plastic bags or bonfires. In autumn we go back to school, back to work, and
back to the future.
Our beach chairs were packed
away while envisioning next summer’s dreams. We unpack our woollen socks. In
autumn we stop to watch the trees and their painted leaves. We watch the skies
for geese and listen for rain. We settle into long pants, sturdy boots and
trusty raincoats. This time of year, we remember our love for pumpkin spice in
lattes and pies. We purchase bushels of apples and bake with buckets of cinnamon.
Each year, autumn reminds us
to return to routines that anchor our lives in time. We relive glory days. We
gather together in football stadiums, and around October tables. In the shadow of shortening days we retell
tales of gridiron glory and harvest bounty.
Autumn is the story of life,
of how endings follow beginnings and time always leads to new beginnings. Autumn
gives us a better perspective on the full story of our lives – discovery and
loss; sacrifice and surprise; an eternal rhythm that keeps us whole.
This autumn, harvest all the
light and life, and goodness that you can. Embrace the season for all its worth
before the winds of winter begin to billow.
I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.
Please follow my writing at REVwords.com
Amen! I agree with all you say about autumn, even your preference for the word “autumn,” which has a brighter ring to it than “fall." One wouldn’t say, for example, “fall equinox.” No, it’s autumnal equinox. Reading your blog, I get a pleasant mental whiff of the the pumpkin and it’s spices and your invitation to soak up the great outdoors.
ReplyDeleteBut it is your last two paragraphs that speak to me most about autumn as a metaphor for a certain time in our lives. "Autumn is the story of life, of how endings follow beginnings and time always leads to new beginnings.” Life is indeed a cycle and the autumn of our lives does give us a “. . . a better perspective on the full story of our lives – discovery and loss; sacrifice and surprise; an eternal rhythm that keeps us whole.”
I need, and therefore appreciate your challenge to "harvest all the light and life, and goodness” that I can. . .” before the winter winds billow more than they already have. Thank you for your message.
Hi Sharon. Happy Thanksgiving to you. Your words are always affirming and gracious.
DeleteThis is such a lyric and lovely post! Every image you created resonated with me. I especially liked the phrase, " backyard firepits seasoning the darkening sky." Beautiful! Congrats on your wins, too. My advice? Come to conference next year!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracy. I'll heed your advice. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteA great piece and a reminder of the seasons as, here in New Zealand, the Spring curtain is being drawn :-)
ReplyDeleteHello New Zealand!! Thank you Robin. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
DeleteEvocative. Yes, come to Conference and let someone else win. 😉😉
ReplyDeleteLove your sense of humour! Thanks for commenting. Happy Thanksgiving.
DeleteHi Bob! First of all, I look forward to having another guy writer to chat with at Conference in 2020. :) I enjoy this post. I can relate to it all yet from a west coast perspective. One of the lines,"We watch the skies for geese and listen for rain," is sheer poetry. I love the picture of this. Where I am in BC the geese are coming back and the rain is here. I also love this line, "Autumn gives us a better perspective on the full story of our lives – discovery and loss; sacrifice and surprise; an eternal rhythm that keeps us whole." I feel the sentence in my heart. Keep writing, Bob, and I'll see you next year, Lord willing.
ReplyDeleteGeese. All of ours in Alberta are leaving for BC. :) Happy thanksgiving to you, Allan. We'll talk at Conference 2020.
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