October 20, 2001

• Autumn -

  
  

  Well, tomorrow is my mother's birthday.  She'll be 60 years old.  For some reason this seems a major milestone in MY life.  Age has never impacted me too much.  I note my birthdays but they don't say much to me about who I am as a person, and some years I can't remember how old I am.  (This has especially been an issue since my son was born on my birthday.  We have focused on his age rather than mine and some years it just doesn't FEEL like I had a birthday at all.)

  
  

  But, now my Mom is turning 60.  I was at first thinking that this is a horrible sign.  She's getting old, I'm getting afraid for her mortality.  Then I started thinking about all the things I like about Autumn.  I love the vivid colors, the smells, the textures, and the tasts.  I love apple butter and pumkin pie.  I love the first day that it's cool enough that my cat chooses to nap in my lap for warmth.  If my Mom is entering the Autumn phase of life, there is a lot to look forward to and enjoy that wasn't possible at earlier stages.

  
  

  In the immaturity of Spring and the Summer of career, there isn't time to sit down in the rocker and sip cider.  Now is the time of soft sweaters and holding hands.  I'm glad that Mom is in a position to enjoy this phase of her life, and I hope that I'll be wise enough to see the beauty of now, instead of fearing the coming winter.

  • 12:57 pm
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