On Walking at Night

I took a walk this evening.  It was clear and cool, and I could see stars peeking through the overhanging trees.  The air had just enough of a nip to whisper that winter is slowly approaching, and it reminded me of fall and winter night walks I used to take with my family when I was very small.

I din't know why I remember it so vividly.  I sat in the red wagon, bundled up so that only the tip of my nose got chilled.  There was no hurry to get anywhere.  No one said anything, and we would occasionally stop just to stare at the stars.  What stuck with me the most, however, wasn't the walking or the star-staring.  I remember just drinking in the bigness and the deepness and the darkness and the stillness that came with the cold nights and the distant moon.

Some day, years from now, I want to take my children on those walks.  I want them to feel the significance of knowing that the God that created this big, deep, dark, still, crisp world also created the hearts of those that behold it with quiet fascination.  In the mean time, I will continue to walk by myself so as to never lose the perspective of a child marveling at the creation of a loving God.

Fall!

Ok, I know that summer technically lasts until September 21st, but I woke up this morning and felt a significant change in temperature.  I was so excited that I completely forgot about it being Monday and not wanting to get out of bed because my mind was suddenly full of wonderful fall things.  I put on tights and a sweater instead of no tights and no sweater, and I walked outside to smell crispness in the air.

I quickly decided that fall is the best season.

It's taken me a long time to pick a favorite season.  I used to say that I liked winter the best because it meant that I could go out and play in the snow, but since staying in and sitting by the fire seems slightly more appealing than being outside these days, fall has claimed the favoritism victory.

Here are ten things that I'm looking forward to this year:

1.  No more sweating due to high temperatures and humidity

2.  The return of the down comforter

3.  Drinking more tea

4.  Apple crisp and pumpkin whoopie pies

5.  Holidays

6.  Changing leaves

7.  Cozy sweaters

8. Clear nights and crisp air

9.  Apple picking

10.  The first snow falling (alright, this one probably goes to far. But hey...who doesn't like to watch the snow fall silently over a quiet world?  I challenge anyone who says it isn't magical.)


Overall, though, I think I like fall the best because it's a time to turn my gaze inward and remember how grateful I am for the people closest to me.  I want to use this season as a time to focus on how much I have been given and how much I have to treasure.  Maybe fall is a season of joyful introspection.

And when I'm not thinking..I say it's high time to break out the bakeware.