Fall Fell Way Too Soon This Year

This summer was the best I have had in a long time. I enjoy summer because the weather is always warm, sometimes even hot.

I was so focused on enjoying my summer that I did not realize Fall had arrived.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into my office the other day and said, “Do you know what day it is today?”

Looking at her with a smug smile, I said, “Yes, my dear, I do know what day it is. It's today.”

She chuckled and said to me," Oh, you don't know what today is. It's Fall. Don't you keep up with anything?”

Looking at her with a bit of hesitation, I said, "What do you mean it's Fall?”

It was then that I began to understand what she was saying. The leaves were turning from their vibrant green to a dull brown, the air was getting crisper and the days were getting shorter. Summer is over, and now it is Fall. For me, Fall fell way too soon. I need a little more summer time before I am ready to graduate to Fall.

During the summer, I get many things done in the "catch-up'' category. I was not quite all caught up when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage announced that it was officially Fall.

The critical thing about summertime is The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage stocking up on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's activities. She packs the refrigerator and freezer to their maximum. By the time summer is over, she is already prepared for the upcoming holidays.

It takes her a few weeks to find the right turkey for the holiday season. She is an expert in finding the right turkeys; after all, she found me.

What I like about the summer season is the variety of activities available. I do not have to make an excuse to go and do something. I'll say, "It's summer and I'm going to enjoy this season.”

Now that I'm a little older, I have to scale back my physical activities. Years ago, I used to go bowling with some friends. Now, it takes me a while to gather the energy to go and watch a bowling game.

I can take a couple of days off and say to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, "After all, it is summertime.” I try to take advantage of this as often as possible. It is almost impossible to trick The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. She knows what I'm doing before I tell her what I'm going to do. However, I still try.

Now that summer is over, I have graduated into the Fall season. There are some advantages to this time of the year, and I am still learning what some of them are.

One advantage I use as much as possible is the weather. In the Fall, it is colder than in summertime. Of course, with me, when the temperature drops below my age, I am freezing.

So, there is an advantage to this because if The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage wants me to go outside, I renege and say, "Oh, boy, I really would love to, but it is so cold I really can't handle it.”

Looking at me, she will smile and say," If you think it is cold, why don't you put on a sweater and then go outside?”

She has me at that. I try as much as possible, and occasionally it works; that is all that is important.

The other aspect of the Fall season is the many holidays celebrated during this time. They go from Halloween to Easter. Once it starts, it is tough for me to keep up with these holidays.

I am not a holiday person, except for the food, which I like. However, these holidays come so fast; I do not know which one I am celebrating at any given time. As long as there's food on the table, I will celebrate whatever holiday it is.

Of course, the great benefit of all these holidays is that The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage organizes our family get-together. It is during the summer that she stocks up on all the food for these get-togethers. Then, when that holiday comes, I really do not care what holiday it is; I am going to celebrate the food she puts on the table.

I do not think anybody makes a better pumpkin pie than The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Actually, it does not matter which pie she is making; they are all marvelous as well as delicious. My favorite pie is the one I’m eating at the time. I would make up a holiday if it meant I could have one of her pies. If it weren't for all these holidays, I wouldn't have gotten to see some of my family. Therefore, the great thing about graduating to the Fall season is about families. Nothing is greater than gathering around the dinner table with your family and eating the delicious food that is there for us.

As I considered gathering as a family to celebrate, I thought of a verse in the Bible.

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8).

Gathering together is a great time to celebrate all that God has blessed us with during the year. And He has blessed us wonderfully.