AUTUMN’S EMBRACE

WELCOME, FALL!

By Carmen Greger

Autumn is more than just a season—it’s a mosaic of transformation, painting the world with hues of amber, scarlet, and gold. It’s a perfectly conducted orchestra of nature, every leaf a note, every breeze a melody, and every shade of orange and yellow a harmony that tells tales of change, growth, and hope. Autumn’s embrace is spectacular- a phenomenon to be cherished.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall,” F. Scott Fitzgerald

Every September, as the days drift into the embrace of October, the world seems to reboot. The heat of summer wanes, replaced by a refreshing chill, an almost palpable excitement. Trees transform from steadfast green to a riot of reds, yellows, and browns.

The transformation of leaves is not merely a visual treat. Scientifically, as daylight dwindles, chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves, breaks down. This reveals the underlying colors and gives birth to the autumnal palette we adore. It’s nature’s gentle reminder: Even in decay, there’s beauty. Change, after all, is not an end but a transition to something new, and in that liminal space between what was and what’s to come, we find magic.

Scents of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg fill the air—they’re the aromatic markers of the season. The mere mention of ‘Pumpkin Spice Latte’ is enough to evoke memories of warm mugs cradled in cold hands, the steam carrying whispers of holidays yet to come.

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne

Such natural richness calls for immersion. Jumping into piles of raked leaves, hiking amidst forests transformed by autumn’s brush, or simply walking through a park observing nature’s new tapestry are all ways to savor the season’s vibrancy. It’s during these golden months that the sky also dazzles in its own unique way. The constellations of fall, like Pegasus and Andromeda, shimmer and beckon, inviting stargazers to lose themselves in cosmic wonders.

Autumn’s cool embrace demands a shift in our wardrobe. Out come the cozy sweaters, the scarves, the (p)leather boots—each piece a snug reminder of the change in the air. And as the world outside shifts, so does the domestic sphere. Kitchens burst into life with autumnal menus: roasted root vegetables, hearty stews, and of course, pies filled with apples and pumpkins. Spices like cloves, ginger, and allspice weave their magic, turning every meal into a comforting ritual and warm-hearted hug.

September also rings in a different kind of bell—the school bell. Children laden with fresh supplies step into new classrooms, while college campuses teem with excited freshmen, each on the cusp of new beginnings. Fields echo with laughter and the thuds of footballs, as autumn sports take center stage. And on the horizon? Thanksgiving—a celebration of gratitude, and familial bonds, of harvests and histories.

Yet, as the landscape outside metamorphoses, so does our internal one. Autumn, in all its poignant beauty, stirs reflection.

“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.” -Yoko Ono

Autumn is the season of introspection, where every fallen leaf seems to whisper tales of impermanence, urging us to cherish each moment.

Such contemplation finds a partner in literature. Classics like Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” or Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” beckon from bookshelves, their stories resonating with the atmospheric richness of the season. Autumn is not just about experiencing the world outside, but also journeying within, exploring the nooks and crannies of one’s own mind and soul.

Yet, it would be amiss to not mention the commercial joys of autumn. Halloween looms, with its playful spookiness, candy corn, and costumes. Boutiques and grocery stores display an array of fall-centric decor, from wreaths of dried leaves to Fall bouquets and scented candles, each capturing the essence of the season.

As the days grow shorter and nights longer, the world feels cozier. This is the season of gatherings, of fireside chats, of blankets shared under the open sky. It’s a time when friends and families come together, sharing stories, meals, and memories. The warmth of togetherness becomes the perfect counter to the crisp chill outside.

In all its multifaceted glory, autumn teaches us the beauty of transformation, the inevitability of change, and the potential for growth even in moments of decay.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” -Albert Camus

We remember that endings are but new beginnings in disguise.

So, as the world unfolds, releases and transforms in terpsichorean display, let us join in. With a pumpkin-spiced beverage in hand, a heart open to change, and a spirit ready for growth, let’s embrace the golden glow of Fall, letting it illuminate our paths, our plates, and our perspectives. After all, in the heart of autumn, life isn’t just lived, it’s fully embraced —it’s celebrated, as it should be.