Dear October,

Dear October, Welcome back, my friend. I am so happy you returned yet again with your crisp, cool days and your cozy, early evenings. Since we last met, I said goodbye, for now, to my beautiful momma. I was blessed to be holding her hand when she went to heaven on that bitterly cold January day. She knew of my love for autumn, especially the precious October days. I believe she will send a shower of colorful leaves to remind me of that, and to let me know she is here. Since she left, I have experienced times of immense sadness and despair as the spring rain fell, and moments of anguish and exhaustion during the sweltering, hot summer. 

I know that these next thirty-one days will be so good for my soul. Your cooler days bring cozy sweaters, steaming cups of pumpkin coffee, early darkness, and flickering candles. Leaves will turn to shades of red, gold, and purple, dance in the wind, and fall to the ground. We will feel the pull inward, spending more time together inside, reminding me of the many carefree and cozy evenings I shared in my childhood home with my family, the stone fireplace crackling as we sat around, playing games or watching TV after dinner. Through these October days, I will be reminded that life, like the year itself, is composed of seasons. We pass from one to the next, and although we long to stay in the one that makes us feel happy and safe, we have to move on. 

Years pass, time moves on, and we grow older. Yet, you dear October remain the same. You return each year, allowing me the chance to slow down, relax, reflect, and look ahead, all while you are there in the background, with cooler air, rustling leaves, pumpkin everything, and all the things that make me feel happy, safe, and cozy. So thank you for that. And welcome back. 

Billie Jo

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