Fall Back and Look Forward to a Quiet Break from the Mundane

This time of year, I love to take in the beautiful sights of the changing season. Wearing my favorite ratty, gray high school sweatshirt, I walk the dog each day, watching the leaves as they fade from green to gold and red. The weather is still warm enough during the day to let us fill our time with all kinds of outdoor activities, from raking leaves to playing football with family and friends to chatting with neighbors. 

As evening turns cool, and the light of the day recedes at sunset, the season announces itself one final time, as the sky fills with colors and, moment to moment, matches the palette of leaves in a glorious display. Soon enough, it’s time to head inside and light a warm, glowing fire and cuddle with my almost-human Golden-doodle, Cotton-Eyed Jo. It is a perfect moment, and all seems right in my world, so safe and peaceful. 

As I find a comfortable place on the sofa, I take time to remember so many other wonderful moments in my life.

Such a moment offers a great escape from the daily world, when my mind is so busy ruminating on the mundane tasks that my business requires. As I find a comfortable place on the sofa, I take time to remember so many other wonderful moments in my life. I remember sitting with my mom on her so-very-ugly, green-and-gold sofa, chatting while the fire glowed. It was a great time in my life. I miss her so much that I often let myself repeat the early evening routine that I knew as a child. I can almost hear mom humming in the background, as she did when she was happy, and that is priceless.

Comfort, in any form, is a good thing, and I think everyone should take the time now and then to find that place or moment that takes us back in time, to relive what we miss with gladness and sweetness.

As I gaze out the window at dusk, past the small cherry trees, my yard is still full of bright green grass, and it sets the table for the dropping leaves. It’s so picturesque, like a beautiful watercolor by the Masters. There is no other time of year where my yard is more beautiful. Dad and I used to put on bright red flannels and blue jeans and rake until we had blisters on our hands. But it was worth it, especially when we both shouted at the top of our lungs and jumped into the middle of the pile, the leaves scattering like ashes from a fire — only to redo the raking all over again. This time of year I miss him most, because we spent so much time together outside. The stiff scent of drying leaves is so similar to his cigar smoke that, whenever I go outdoors, I can remember him like he was just here yesterday. 

Fall offers a setting unlike any other season, a time to rejuvenate before it’s time to hibernate.

Fall is a time to look forward, too, because it offers a quiet break, a setting unlike any other season, a time to rejuvenate before it’s time to hibernate. What’s fall to you? A time of reflection and rest? Perhaps the floodgate for memories you had forgotten but get to remember and enjoy again? I spend this time of year marveling at the changes in nature all around me. It is so beautiful outside that I’m inspired to decorate inside in a way that matches the joy of transformation and color beyond my windows.

I hope you rekindle some warm memories, and make some new ones, this fall. Light a vanilla-scented candle, put on your wool socks, and lay your head back to rest. But don’t forget to look outside or you may miss a spectacular view and the chance to form a brand-new memory.

Judith E. (“Judy”) Antisdel is Founder and President of AT Direct in Baltimore, Md. She has earned professional designations ranging from US Postal Service Non Profit Specialist to US Postal Service Mail Manager. She is a frequent guest speaker at symposia and workshops offered by the federal government and various non-profit organizations. Connect with Judy on LinkedIn, hire her to speak here, and find more info at her website.

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