Watching the leaves change has come to be my favorite part of the Fall (Autumn season). The word Autumn comes from the latin word autumnus meaning, “the passing of the year”. And the leaves changing are a beautiful way to mark the transition from summer into winter. This has come to be the season I look forward to most each year with crisp weather, the vibrant colors and coziness of it all.
Since it is the season I look forward to most, I tend to make a list of things I’d love to do to celebrate that season each year. This year’s “Autumn Celebrations” list is in the notes app on my phone, pinned to the top so it’s easy to see and reference.
- Hike at Hawk Mountain in central PA
- Visit Bushkill Falls in northeastern PA
- Make an apple crisp
- Have a bonfire
- Travel to and see the elk at Benezette in northwestern PA
- Drive through the Poconos in northeastern PA and stop in Jim Thorpe
- Hike at Middle Creek and take the back roads there
- See the leaves and waterfalls at Watkins Glen in western New York
- Decorate the front porch
- Make chicken corn soup with rivels – Grandma’s recipe
- Make a pecan pie
- Visit Longwood Gardens + Terrain in eastern PA
This may seem like a short list to some and long to others. While these are all things I’d love to do this season, it’s more of a list of potential ways to celebrate the season rather than a list of things I have to accomplish in the next 3 months. I want to enjoy this season well.
So far, I’ve been able to do a few of these already – hiking at Hawk Mountain, having a bonfire, visiting Benezette and the elk, and decorating my front porch (more like front step) for fall. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be able to visit Watkins Glen in New York, and hopefully cook up something delicious in the kitchen.
I don’t always make a list like this for every season, but find that something like this is helpful in two ways. First, for the seasons I love, it helps guide me in my favorite things to do and be realistic that I can’t do everything. Second, for the seasons I don’t enjoy (winter), creating a list like this helps me find ways to enjoy the season. Picking out things I could find excitement in helps me remain grounded during harder seasons.
I hope that if you don’t already find ways to intentionally enjoy current or future seasons, you can think of a few ways. They don’t have to be a list like mine, but whether a literal season like winter, or spring, or a season in life of waiting, or recovering, or harvesting, I hope you’re able to look for the joy in the season you’re in. Because a season should never be wished away or wasted.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
