Fall came upon me so quickly with it the sweet smell of fallen leaves, now composting in my garden, and the scent of impending snow with each passing rain shower. Fall has to be one of my favorite times of the year but it seems to be passing me by all to quickly this time. I had well laid plans of making several of my holiday gifts but as I looked at the stack of fabric for my sisters quilt, which I have been planning for three months now, I realized that the time is not progressing any slower. Where has all this time flown away to? I know it hasn't all been fun or surely I would remember. Yes, there were some great times...meeting with the girls for our farmgirl gathering and dinner with trick or treating with the Pope's in October.
Then of course who could forget the history that was made on November 4th. Wow! I am so excited to be able to say that I was alive with my children to witness history. Even though I was raised in the "bible belt" of America I was fortunate to be influenced by a strong willed woman who told me to never judge a person by the color of their skin or by what their religious beliefs may be. Why was this important? That woman is my mother. A child born in the 50's and raised by parents who nearly always judge others based on those things. Time will not change others but the lessons we give our children and the next generation will change our future.
So as we get ready to celebrate during this season of thanks I know I will be thinking of the things that I find important to teach my children and remembering all that my family has taught me. I will remain thankful for those times that have been fun even if they haven't been as often as I would have liked. However, maybe most importantly, I will recall all of the rough times that we have thankfully persevered through. I believe it is how we deal with them both that shape us into the people we are to become. After all no matter what our age may be we are always evolving.
May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump, May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump.
