By Staff
Isn't living in the Midwest great? You never know whether to wear a jacket or short sleeves.
In the morning I always find I have left my sweater either in the car or on the coat rack at work.
So I either freeze or have to hunt down another coat or jacket. I must have five in the back of my vehicle, and two hanging up at work.
Yesterday though (Monday) was really different. On the way home I experienced sun, hail, rain and then – a glorious rainbow.
I quickly pulled over, grabbed my camera, which needed a new memory card put in, jumped out and – there was no rainbow.
Just as quickly as it had appeared, grey clouds had filled in the sky.
So I didn't capture the image digitally, but at least in my mind I can still see the arc of colors, above a country dirt road flanked on each side with trees of brilliant oranges, reds and browns.
Fall I guess is my favorite season. If you are too warm you can take off long sleeve tops, or add them if you are chilly. You don't have to worry about shoveling or finding boots.
It is fun to cuddle under a blanket, curled up in a chair and read or watch television.
The nights are cold, so sleeping is good.
Even though some mornings there is some frost on the windshield, it disappears without scraping.
In many ways I am probably in the fall of my life. I have learned to be comfortable with myself, do with less things in my life.
Like the shedding leaves of the trees, I am realizing what is important and it isn't all the trappings.
When you are young, like the spring, you think life will be like that forever. Everything is new and bright. Each experience comes with wonder.
In summer, we are so busy with the many activities that fill our days.
My summer with four children went so quickly, as they grew and needed to be driven to baseball, Cub Scouts and 4-H.
I remember when my mother was in the winter of her life, she finally had all this time, which she never had when she was busy raising us and working a full-time job and volunteering at school.
It seems unfair.
As our bodies age, we actually enjoy getting to bed early in the evening, yet often wake during the night. We don't seem to need as much sleep, yet taking a nap is often the only way to get through the day.
We never know how long winter will last. In fact, it may be rather short, or longer than we would like.
I think the trick is to like where you are at the moment.
Don't look back with regret, nor desire the future to come to quickly.
The rainbow might only last a second, we shouldn't miss it. Even if we can't capture it to keep it forever, it is still in our heart.