shades of autumn
September 4, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Kelly 
The golden light of autumn filters through the trees in a different way than the sunny shades of summer. I watch the seasons turn from a chair in my garden, cycling through year upon year of new growth, setting seeds, and winter's dormancy.
It all gets repeated, and yet, none of it is ever exactly the same. There are wet years and dry years, abundant years and those that are a struggle. Birds come and go, often the same species we've always seen, and occasionally, new friends join our flock.
We learn, we forget, we reminisce and carry on. New earth is turned, soil nourished, water sprinkled. And always, the waiting. Always something to look forward to, even if it is only just tomorrow. That new day, new dawn, fresh start that keeps us getting out of bed every morning.
The older I get, the more I relish the colors of daybreak. There is something to be said for greeting each day with hope and possibility. And also something to be said for sitting silently and watching as the sun slips beneath the horizon, knowing it is on its way to someone else's morning.
I have rushed through much of my life these past few years, but these days, I am finding my way towards stillness. I let the sun be my guide and the moon my dance partner. I step outside as often as possible, even if only for five minutes. All those minutes add up into hours and days as life marches on.
I have more patience now. I don't need it all at once, I can sit here and wait, doing nothing but taking it in, this wonderful world all around me. Watching, listening, content.
The golden light of autumn filters through the trees, and I have grown into the skin I live in.
And I have to say, I think this shade looks quite lovely on me.
Reader Comments (20)
I can feel how welcoming the sun every morning is such a pleasure for both the eyes and the soul, Kelly. What a beautiful post you wrote here, I especially love this sentence..."I have grown into the skin I live in..."
Being able to be content is such an achievement, one I am still striving for :-)
Aaaaah....as you so often do - you've expressed and echoed my sentiments so perfectly here. Me too - I'm finding myself contentedly growing into those shades of autumn..and loving it!
Beautiful..beautiful..beautiful!!!
As we launch ourselves into Spring here I love this post on so many levels. Autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year and as I slip into the Autumn of my days I too am finding that my skin does fit me after all. Thank you.
Gorgeous images and words.....so beautiful. they sort of echo how I feel, though my favourite time of day is sunset....the "gloaming" time when the farm softens into a golden/pink glow. Yes it looks absolutely fabulous on you..
"finding my way toward stillness" ... this and so many other of your words here just touched me softly this morning, Kelly ~ very beautiful writing and this image is
perfectly you.
You've managed to paint with words what I never could. So lovely.
Stillness is something that doesn't come easy to me - I am a doer by nature. But I would like to learn to embrace the moment and grow "into the skin I live in." Thank you for a thoughtful post and gorgeous golden image.
You have such a beautiful way of saying such "ordinary" things, Kelly, so it doesn't surprise me that we all pick from your words those phrases that resonate. For me, I especially loved your "sitting silently and watching as the sun slips beneath the horizon, knowing it is on its way to someone else's morning." That would be MY morning in the Netherlands, I immediately thought! :)
I love all times and seasons these days, it seems, but Shades of Autumn definitely fit me perfectly. My time of the year!
What a lovely way to look at the shift in seasons and the shift within. The flow of this blog post is just perfect.
So lovely Kelly. I feel a lot of contentment reading this. Thank you.
Speak to me anything of autumn and i'm listening. The way you've written about the seasonal shift here is mesmerizing.
This is wonderful. Makes me realize that even winter will have its advantages.
First, I absolutely ADORE this photo! How beautiful and the layering is fantastic! Like Elena, I too believe you have such a gift to put our feelings to words! Excellent, excellent post!
"i have to say...." that i am late to the comment party...nonetheless....kelly, kelly, kelly, your shade looks good on us all. thank you for the beauty of your words.
Ditto all of the previous responses. A moving photo and words that touch that shared-feeling place of autumn.
Your words portray a beautiful image and I can just imagine you soaking up the autumn.
You're exactly right. The rhythms of life are far from repetitious. The similarities from one year to the next give us memory, but the infinite variety they bring give us our reasons to rise with the sun and wait to see what a new day will bring.
Lovely entry. I'm longing so for autumn, but for now I have to wait for that, too.
What a wonderful image illustrated with such eloquent words. I am not looking forward to Winter, but to Autumn I am.
Kelly, such a beautiful post! Autumn is my favorite season, but you go so much further - I like your expression "I'm finding my way towards stillness". That is autumn.
Such a beautiful image and post. Taking your post literally, I could relate to so much you wrote. Like you, I too go outside each and every chance I get...even if only for a few minutes at a time. Love, love, LOVE the image.