A different kind of fall

As much as I hate to see summer wave it's farewell, I have always loved the arrival of fall and all of its glory. It's a good thing this season is forced upon us, because I would remain forever a resident of summer. One of my favorite things about fall is unpacking the fall decorations. At our house, this is a pretty big day. The older Davises love the nostalgia that comes with the sights and smells as the boxes are opened. The youngest of our clan is simply excited with all things pumpkin-ish and, of course, loves to help find a special place for each treasured item.

This year's unpacking was, admittedly, bittersweet for me. Last year, when I was opening those special storage chests, enjoying the aroma of fall that come with the first crack of the lid, life was normal; well, Washington normal. We had no idea how much our lives were going to change in just two months, in fact, with the change of season. We were busy decorating with pumpkins and leaves, cutting beautiful fall colored berries off the trees, even getting ready for the wedding of a friend. Then the fall storm blew in. 

I am so grateful that my sweet friends affirmed my decision to decorate for Christmas early, on Thanksgiving weekend. It went against every bit of my liturgical year style, but I really wanted to make sure that everything got packed carefully. I also knew how fast we would need to be working and that if I didn't do it then, it wouldn't happen at all. So the fall decorations were packed away early, more carefully than usual. And up went Christmas, on the tail of the turkey. You will never know how much that helped me cope with the holiday weekend. 

Thanksgiving was usually a really hard time for me. I was always extremely homesick that weekend, knowing that my family was together. Last year, Scott was in Tennessee with them as he was interviewing for jobs. Ouch. The decorating was a much needed distraction.

So, when I opened those fall boxes this year, I was greeted with all the familiar sights and smells, and new plans for where all those treasures would find a place. But I was also greeted with a welcomed and unexpected happiness. This year the fall will find me celebrating with my family. The napkin rings will bear the names of those I hold most dear.  I have marveled at the fact that this season of my life, I would probably not have chosen willingly. Just as the Father wrestles me away from summer and thrusts me into fall, he wrestled me away from what I knew and loved, and thrust me into a different place that I also know and love.

A different kind of fall, indeed.