October Winds

October has just started and although in Madrid it feels more like summer in most hours of the day, autumn slowly gets to invade the early mornings and evenings with its soft, cool breeze and short days creep while sunsets come earlier but linger less.

I love Autumn just like I love Spring for the changing colors of the leaves which in certain trees are much more visible just like in the maple trees and gingko which turn into different colors before they fall on the ground or as blown away by the mere greeting of the gentle Wind.

Autumn, it seems, tries to get us ready for the coming of winter, to be able to finish the tasks left over from the previous season that was left undone due to the warm heat of summer, stressful by itself, and discouraging any attempt to do anything at all but leisure. Autumn is a nice time to go for a walk and observe the changing colors of the leaves, and if you are lucky you can also see some of the few birds that lingered behind chirping as if looking for the rest of the flock to be able to unite with them.

Similarly, as the earth goes through seasons, so does a family in the course of time tangle its way through seasons.  Marriage, falling in love, and the birth of  children are times of renewal that can relate with  Spring.  The blessing of a peaceful and  pleasant period that some families are lucky to experience, give the feeling of Summer that does not seem to end.  As we grow while our children do too, somehow our leaves begin to take a different shade.  That stage can be called Autumn.  We might think that this seems like dying, but like the trees, this is only a sign of a new phase of life.  The times of crises which can be emotional, economic or otherwise are times for the family to stay close together, help each other out and endure what are sometimes the frigid winds of change. This period is akin to Winter.  Life is full of seasons and changes but with the  support of friends and family, we get by to brace ourselves against whatever demands that may come up with  the change of season.  In contrast with the earth season, the  family  season can become one big chain of love, hope and care. I hope we find beauty in every season.