A Change of Season

September 14, 2025

There is a slant to the sunlight, even on an 80-degree mid-September day that tells me it is almost Autumn. The oak trees and hickories I pass on my walks are still fully festooned with dark green leaves, but the angled sunlight gives them a yellowish cast. Here and there I see a few red leaves on dogwoods or sumac that foretell the change of season. We are rapidly approaching the equinox, but my garden is still yielding tomatoes, okra and eggplant. On my walk this Sunday morning I could smell the remnants of a firepit from last night and the flags mounted to houses in my neighborhood mostly have shifted to preferred football teams and colleges where adult children have gone. The sounds of children playing in backyards and insects hint at the lingering summer temperatures.

This year, I hope to embrace Autumn with all her subtle changes. It will be light after work for weeks to come, and I anticipate leisurely evening walks with colorful foliage in the near future. I look forward to the cooler weather and have enjoyed a few crisp days that we have already had. Sweaters, flannel pajamas, wrapping myself in a blanket to read by the fire on a chilly evening, these are things I love. leaves turn varying shades of gold, russet and ochre. are on my seasonal agenda are apple picking, football games and drives in the mountains. I look forward to the crunch of leaves underfoot and warm meals of roasted root vegetables and chicken perhaps served with a cinnamon rich apple crisp for dessert.

As I stand in the threshold between the seasons, I acknowledge that I am also in the liminal space between stages of my life. My children are grown. My husband and I are still working, but we are rapidly approaching retirement age. In truth, I am well ensconced in middle age but have been reluctant to acknowledge that I am already in the autumn of my life. Each morning, I awaken with creaks and twinges that remind me of my age but recede with some gentle yoga. My goal is to remain active for years to come with regular exercise and mental stimulation. There are so many places I want to see, so many things to learn, so many more adventures in the works. The oddest thing about being in this phase of life is that I feel internally as young as I ever did when I am making plans and going about my life, but when I look in the mirror, I can tell that I have aged. My natural silver hair and wrinkles are a dead giveaway. Who is that looking back at me in the mirror? Acceptance is important. In my late 50s, I am not likely to become a CEO of a multinational corporation or climb Mount Everest. However, I still have loads of creativity and a deep desire to learn and grow. Autumn is my time to harvest and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Travel, home improvements, gardening, deepening friendships, learning about spirituality, there is so much that I can do in this next phase of life. Autumn feels rich with possibilities. Carpe Diem! It is time to seize the day.