Today is the first day of school for my 8th and 11th graders, so regardless of what the calendar says, it’s the first day of fall to me. Fall is my favorite season! And while doing my morning pages, I brainstormed some of the things that mean fall to me.
Fall is…
the sounds of water running and footsteps upstairs in the early morning as my kids get up for school
hot chocolate with extra marshmallows
the smell of microwaveable bacon — one daughter’s favorite breakfast
my daughters heading to their bus stops in inky black mornings
planning my day’s schedule without including six chauffeur trips
a love-me dog that will make me get outside every single day
venturing outside and ignoring the overgrown weeds that flourished in the backyard all summer
the occasional street perfume of fireplace smoke
the bluest, clearest sky imaginable
geese honking their bluesy, lonely-sounding songs as they call goodbye and fly south
feeling like anything is possible, like I could grow wings and fly with them
the miracle of maples turning orange and birches golden (somehow a surprise every year, because you never know just when it will happen)
dried leaves crunching underfoot
having my stomach feel tight all day as I wait to hear how my kids’ classes are
stretches of silence longer than 48 seconds
looking over my projects and feeling enthusiasm instead of dread
my brain unclenching, preparing to actually focus on something
hot apple cider and its steam on my face hovering above it
checking school planners and asking about homework after school
watching my younger daughter pound the ground in cross-country races
eating dinner outside, cool air flicking our cheeks and hands
catching up on everyone’s day while eating stew or spaghetti
a cracked-open oven door after dinner, wafting delicious warmth through the main level
digging out the sweaters and the mattress warmer
admitting that the holidays aren’t that far away…and having that be ok
I know many of you, unlike me, love summer and might be feeling a little mournful this time of year. But I hope you’ll find lots to love and plenty to inspire your writing in this glorious season, too.