“If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn they will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem"
I am a big fan of resolutions. I always make them on new years eve, I always make one on the night before my birthday, and I always make them at the start of a new season. I love fresh starts, I am a sucker for second and third and fourth chances. I don't always complete them, but saying one or two of them into the air, under the moon, helps me to release. I gave a portion of the load to the world, I said a prayer, I acknowledged my power.
This season, in particular feels so magical. And it seems like everyone agrees. What is it about the human race that craves the departure of sweat on their brow, longs for chilly mornings and for those ugly dead leaves to break away from our weary trees? It's always been my favorite time, but this year it seems unreal. We have a child. We have a daughter. She has never seen the fall. She has never experienced the bursting joy that comes with watching our surroundings turning bright red. She is seven and a half months old. Her world right now is small, and it is all up to us! What we give her, what we show her, what we read her, where we take her. So this year, this is what Autumn looks like in our little world. In our new house. In our new life as parents to this blue eyed wonder of a girl.
So, one new tradition we started in our family is that we want to give scout a little gift at the start of every new season. Something that celebrates what is to come, even if it's just a little book or a set of colored pencils.
Here she is enjoying a couple of them today:
And here is some more of her loot, the little ghost, the wooden black kitty, and jack-o-lantern book are from Nana :) The witch hat was made by my sister!
Since scouty and I are home together a lot, we have lots of conversations. What is a friend? what is the rain? what is a promise? In this case, what is a flame? My baby looks nothing like me, so I like to think we have matching witch souls anyway:
Around here, especially in autumn, there is always a kitty or two napping on our couch
We have a million pumpkin treats and lots of apples
There are always candles burning, and Practical Magic is always on
We nap as much as possible, especially once the rain starts! (by WE, I mean Scout and the kitties. I have only had the pleasure of napping twice since she was born)
There is always a cozy blanket handy
Books are more tantalizing than ever. They are the sirens of the house. You walk by them and become transfixed, you have to force yourself to keep on walking. Or, in scout's case, you attempt a headstand in celebration of their greatness.
Windows are always open in the evening and early morning
Mama does a little light reading and studying
And wears her best slippers (even if it's still too damn hot)
So, happiest Autumn ever to everyone. Celebrate your lives and the brand new fresh air on its way. We have a lot of firsts on the horizon for our little lady, and in a way for us too. We get to re-feel raindrops. re-smell a christmas tree, re-live all the best parts of the world through her eyes. Happiness doesn't even begin to describe the feeling.
