Finding rhythm in the changing seasons

On a walk with my son in our local Arboretum we had a chance to observe and talk about change. His inquisitive mind observed a single leaf on the ground that turned 

bright orange with highlights of crimson deep in the veins of the leaf’s structure. He 

turned to me distressed that a leaf had already fallen as it still felt like 

summer. This was a great opportunity to talk about change. I thought to myself that change can be so distressing on so many levels, but also exciting.

He was starting kindergarten in a few days with new teachers and friends. It must have been scary to feel fully that change happening rapidly. This moment brought me back my daughter’s last day of daycare. I spent the whole night on my phone gazing at the library of pictures of my three-year-old transforming before my eyes in reverse. When I finally got to the last picture in the library, which was her first day of daycare I couldn’t believe how much she had grown. So much had changed in just 3 years of witnessing her growth to becoming an independent little girl.  

Eventually I asked him if he could recall the felling that told him winter was over. He mentioned to me it felt warmer, there were lots of flower everywhere, and it smelled nice outside. I asked him to hold on to those memories and think about all the new ones he can make. We talked about the rhythm of nature constantly changing before we are fully aware of what is happening. Then he pointed out that the squirrels are gathering lots of food hiding it away for the coming winter. It was a great moment to see his observations and looking for more ways to notice and embrace the new rhythms around us. 

Fall is another time of transition, and watching him walk up to his teacher on his first day 

of kindergarten was overwhelming. Could I accept all the changes happening in my life? My kids naturally fall into their next stages of development in harmony, and I find that I’m the one running to catch up with them. So as the spontaneous rhythms of summer transition to a steady routine of the fall, I find myself also observing and just taking it all in. As there is 

hope in transition, and a place to find my own rhythm in the process.