It will come no matter what

We’ve been experiencing a heat wave in the Pacific NW. There have been fires throughout California, British Columbia, and Washington State. With the fires, bring smoky skies that shadow the bright summer sun.  The haze has been from the fires, but I sense an autumn haze in the air. I feel sad that fall is coming. I’ve been that way all my life. Feeling sad when a season is coming to a close. But once I recognize it will happen no matter what, I accept it and move forward. I do that with seasons and I do that with life.

My lunch pail days were over…

I always looked forward to school starting with fresh new clothing to start the year that my mother carefully sewed for me–and the other siblings in my family. There were new school supplies: a new notebook filled with lined notebook paper, pencils and pens in a pencil box. In grammar school, there was the prized box of crayons–I usually had the box of 24, though I really wanted the big box of 48 like some kids had. And of course, a new lunchpail. I remember the year–I think it was 5th or 6th grade–I came to school with my new plaid rectangular pail and matching thermos (that always leaked) and noticed very few others were carrying one. The next day, I brought my lunch in a paper bag, just like everyone else. My lunch pail days were over. As a teacher, I enjoyed the beginning of school, yet dreaded the start as I enjoyed the freedom of  summer.

Autumn

Autumn means things are starting to die. I’m very aware of death and loss, for Jim and I lead a weekly grief group. We help them grope through their loss. We listen to them as they try to pick  themselves up from the stunning hole that is in their life. This past month, there have been several acquaintances of mine who have died. There was Arley who played flute in the community orchestra I play in, and Marcia, who played the french horn. A closer acquaintance was a friend from my youth, Gary. And just last week I heard a son of my friend from grammar school died. His name was Jim. With each notification of these deaths I gasped in disbelief. “No!” I’d say. You’d think that with the losses I hear weekly at our grief group I’d get used to hearing about death but I don’t.

No more death or mourning…

I look forward to the season where there will be no more death and one day, that will come. …There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. But for now, I’m alive here where there is all of the above. I’m starting to  look forward to the next season: Autumn.

Beautiful Victoria

We returned from a week’s voyage to Alaska with a stop in Victoria, Canada. There are lovely flowers and buildings everywhere. We took a tour on a bicycle rickshaw. Here’s a small glimpse of the beauty in this harbor town.