Friday, September 23, 2011

in the change of seasons



We spent last weekend with family along the lakeshore in Michigan. We passed the time cooking, eating, wandering through the markets and shops in town, eating some more, and visiting the shore for the respite it brings. The beach here is just a bit north of our usual destination, but is becoming just as familiar.






In these familiar places, the children are learning the marks of the season. From our garden, to the farm, to the orchards and this shore, they see the shifts as the days march forward. The slants of light, the flowers in bloom, the fruits that ripen, all move with the months. I see these, too. But even more, I see the shifts the seasons bring in the children.

Looking back through the pictures, there are footprints in the sand that seem to grow with each step, hands that can hold even more than before, a smile full of baby teeth that are no longer there. So many ways to mark the changes; no way to slow them down. Wrapped up with it all is the gratitude that comes with watching it unfold. It is bittersweet. But mostly sweet.





Here on the doorsteps of another season, we tuck away summer and roll out a welcome to autumn and whatever changes this season will bring.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I especially like this part of your entry: "Looking back through the pictures, there are footprints in the sand that seem to grow with each step, hands that can hold even more than before, a smile full of baby teeth that are no longer there." Beautiful words to go with lovely photos. Thanks again for the inspiration. Chris Howard-Swan

Lindsay said...

Beautiful. Happy Autumn :)

Nancy said...

Lovely blog Amanda, just found it through Rythm of the Home.
I will come back :-)