I mean, are all those leaves getting you “down”?
Seriously, I was talking to a friend the other day and she mentioned how this time of year just drives her nuts. She comes home from work, rakes and bags leaves, and then the next day there are even more, and she does the same thing. She said this goes on for a solid month, and makes her regret living where she does, surrounded by trees. She used to love fall, and now she dreads all the work it adds to her already busy schedule.
I guess I never thought too much about it for I don’t have a lot of trees in my yard, and part of the leaves we do get come from the neighbor’s yard, but that’s what living in the country is about, I guess. I suggested that my friend with the leaf problem try to just enjoy the beauty the trees bring, and maybe let the leaves go a few days at a time instead of doing them every night. She said if she waited, they’d pile up even more than they do already. Then I suggested hiring a teenager in her development to help her. Perhaps she could do some of the raking but when it gets really heavy, she could have a younger person take over, and help them make a little money in return. She said she never really thought about asking for help, but that there was her paper boy whom she could ask.
It got me to thinking about how many of us may actually not enjoy fall for similar reasons. I always delight in the season changes, especially fall! I miss my boots, and comfy sweaters for a good six months, and can’t wait to reunite with them! But I’m sure there are those of you who dread putting on the layers of extra clothing. And while you might not have a ton of leaves to rake, perhaps fall means other circumstances you dislike, such as winterizing your home, closing your swimming pool, cleaning up and turning under your garden, making preparations for holiday entertaining and travel, kids going away to school, an end to outdoor activities and baseball games, or even fall housecleaning! Whatever it is about this season that makes you cringe, try to see the positive side of things!
I drive by a lot of new homes that have absolutely no trees whatsoever, and I always feel sorry for the people who want trees so badly and have to plant young seedlings. I bet they’d trade a couple weeks of raking for some beautiful, big, colorful trees, and the shade they provide!
Imagine all those people hit by the hurricanes whom would give anything to be able to have their home intact and have to take care of it, their gardens, and start their fall cleaning. It really puts things in perspective when you think about all the work you have that someone without a home wishes they had. Be glad for your home and all the work that goes with it.
Since I mentioned the holidays, let’s face it, a lot of you are already stressing over family obligations of where to hold Thanksgiving, who is bringing what, who gets along with whom, the invitation list and who you’d rather not invite, etc. etc. It could drive you crazy if you let it. The trick is not to let it. Things seldom turn out quite as badly in real life as we imagine in our heads. It’s one meal, on one day. Imagine all the people who wish they could have another Thanksgiving Day with their family. Think about soldiers far away from home. Would they let a rude relative get in the way of their celebration if they could be at home with the family? No, and neither should you. We all have our holiday stresses. But we’re all human. It’s going to be probable that something will go awry, but it’s not the end of the world in the big scheme of things. Make that dish you enjoy making, wear the silly apron your kids make fun of, and invite the relative who makes snide remarks. Think of it as payback for having a wonderful home and family to call your own.
Enjoy fall and the events of it. Look past the work, and see the beauty. Really see the beauty in the yard full of downed leaves, the cover over the pool of summer’s fun, the warmth of layers of clothing that you can afford to own, the smiling faces of trick-or-treaters, the satisfaction on your college-kid’s face when he gets to make his own decisions, and yes, even the beauty of sitting at a Thanksgiving meal with a slightly dry roast, lumpy gravy, and an Aunt Cecily who dislikes your décor. It’s all worth it!!
Tami Loves…helping each other see the positive side of things!
