Seasons

     Seasons. In the Rockies they can change abruptly. A hot day in August can be followed by a cooler day that is a welcomed respite from the heat. But then I begin to notice that those hot days have seemingly disappeared and the cooler days are the norm. It’s as if they arrived overnight and I didn’t get the memo. People can feel pretty passionate about these changes. Some complain that they hate the winter, the cold, or the snow, getting into a cold car or even the dryness of their homes when the heat runs day and night. After a few months of it, it can get old. But I always welcome the changes as it seems to refresh my spirit and remind me how cyclical life remains.

     As the days have already become cooler I realize my summer evenings on my deck around my gas firepit will need to be accompanied by a light jacket and will soon be replaced by a heavier coat. I also realize the fading sunlight will arrive in a different place in my home and even my house plants will need to adjust. But I also embrace the promise that in just a few short weeks the mountains which surround me will be ablaze with spectacular yellow and gold Aspens for which the Rocky Mountains are notorious!

     The scent and sight of the waning leaves. The feel of the crisp air. The comfort of my snuggly pajamas sporting snowmen, coffee cups or puppies. The smell of cinnamon wafting from my simmering tea pot. The view just over my laptop of the bright, white snow on Pikes Peak against that beautiful, blue sky... I welcome these changes like an overdue visit from a beloved friend. It doesn’t really matter that it arrived almost overnight. What matters is it arrived.