Golden Days of Fall

I love fall so much. And it's been beautiful here this week.

Nothing like contrast to help you appreciate something.  Last weekend it plunged to an unnatural low for the area and we actually got snow in October (this is not Utah; there aren't usually such storms, so they say). We got a few inches and then they were gone. Enough to make me more intensely appreciate the days that followed.
But what makes me appreciate it even more is knowing that all over New England (within hours of us) they got plastered!  Up to two feet in a lot of New England and without power. As of Wednesday, my dear friend Renee (and her whole area) still didn't have power. yucky

Being aware also helps you feel gratitude. And I was aware all blessed week that it was golden, lovely, warm. I shed jackets on my way home from work.  On Wednesday I went running in shorts and a t-shirt; actually the same outfit I wore all summer (just at a different time of day); I soaked in as much sunshine as I could get.

My neighborhood is a little niche of warmth.  It's always warmer than other areas (year round, it's a few degrees warmer than surrounding neighborhoods, towns, etc.) and because of that our fall is later.  Which is fabulous.  When many trees are bare, our niche is just changing colors. Oh, I love where I am.  And even this special little geographical niche makes me feel that Heavenly Father loves and knew where to put me, down to the details.

And finally, almost every day I compare my life right now to this time last year.  I'm in the exact same place (this doesn't normally happen in my life; like maybe a half dozen times in 30+years); the smells and feels of fall bring memories.  And for me, it's a very different life than a year ago. The happiness and peace; the overall sense of well-being (regardless of the small daily emotions) are in such start contrast to last fall that I feel happiness just realizing that.  I do recognize the greater effort it requires to feel close to God; interesting, eh? But for now, I appreciate a lot fewer tears, a lot less hurt.

Happy Fall 2011!