The Coming of Winter

Fall is dwindling away. Last weekend's glorious paintings have given way to bare trees.

The leaves crunch underfoot, as the breeze carries the first breath of winter's chill. Flip-flops and short sleeves have given way to sweatshirts and blue jeans. Nature is preparing for its long sleep. 

We watch the squirrels out our window. The playfulness they displayed just a few weeks ago has been replaced by industrious focus as they store up the last of the season's bounty in preparation for the barrenness to come. 

I was terribly sad to see the last days of summer pass us by.. and I find I am just as regretful about the end of autumn. No matter how many years pass, we will never relive this particular year again. It's blowing away like the leaves on the ground, this year of so many firsts. First girls. First babies in many years. First Easter, first Halloween....(almost).

Very soon we'll be celebrating her first Christmas and first birthday. Our first year being a family of five, instead of one of four. Our family's first teenager. Starting first grade. Reveling in our baby girl's first smile, her first laugh, her first word. 

I'm going to miss all of these firsts.

But I also find that I am already looking forward to the first blush of spring and all of the firsts the coming year will bring. :)

I just hope that those don't include first boyfriends. Grandpas and daddies don't count. :)

On a completely unrelated note (or maybe not), I am mourning the coming demise of the once grand lady in my front yard. The sprawling maple that has been the backdrop for some of the best moments of my life. I have been looking out the picture window at this tree in every season for the better part of the 25 years that my mom has owned this house. It is as familiar to me as an old friend. 

 There it is..there in the back ground.

I will miss you, friend. There will be a hole in my front yard that no other tree will be able to fill. RIP............