Autumn in Michigan: A Majestic Array of Blessings
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In my son’s room, I spy the first red leaf on the tree outside his window. Every year, this specific tree is the first to change colors and also the first to lose its leaves. As we close out summer and turn the corner into fall, I am always faced with a mix of emotions- shock that another summer has passed so swiftly; a twinge of nostalgia as we get ready for another school year; and excitement as we shift rhythms into the second half of the year.
At the end of summer, I feel like I’ve just finished a race- finally reaching the finish line of a full and frantic season. Living in Northern Michigan, we have learned that you don’t sleep on summer- you pack it ALL in- beach sunsets, long days spent in the lake, backpacking trips in the Upper Peninsula, and running down the dunes as many times as your legs allow.
But now, autumn is here, and it’s finally time to catch my breath.
The Call of Autumn to Celebrate
Long ago, I began to see lessons that each season teaches. Winter always inspires me to find peace in stillness; spring provides anticipation and the opportunity to see the unfolding beauty that nature slowly reveals; and summer is a time of connection, freedom, and a chance to let wild things bloom.
But fall brings something of its own too, and as it turns out, it’s my favorite. Fall teaches me time and again what celebration looks like. It is nature’s full display of exuberance and unabashed praise; an invitation to let goodness spill over to every part of life.
Now, this can be seen quite literally- from how apples hang heavy on the branches, to observing the changing light at sunset, and taking in the colorful array of leaves that crown every tree. Autumn is showy, holds nothing back, and reaches a crescendo that is impossible to miss. And after the colors fade, and the leaves fall, we are sent into winter with a gentle blessing.
Thinking about this gives me pause, as I wonder how to be more like this season. How do I let the juices of joy drip into every part of my life? How can I share beauty with others, holding nothing back? Do I allow myself to see the majestic display that can be seen from every window? And what blessings am I taking with me from autumn’s glory into the slowest time of the year?
Using the Season’s Transition with Intention
And so, by the end of September, I purposefully hit pause. At this point, school’s been in session for a few weeks, with routines firmly back in place. The end of the summer rush has finally slowed, giving me space to regroup. And slowly, just as I spy that first red leaf outside my son’s window, I feel the shift happening in me, too.
Slowing down from summer is intentional, and I make a conscious effort to incorporate new routines into my week. I make a list of trails in the area that are the best for spotting the changing leaves; I make time for a few crisp days on the beach, complete with a dip in the Big Lake; I stop at the local apple orchard for cider and donuts; and I bring out supplies for fall bonfires in the backyard.
All of these acts begin to recalibrate my mindset, and the goodness starts to overflow.
It’s amazing what happens when we make time for the things that matter to us, whatever those things are. We can get so caught up in life swirling around us that we forget to actually let ourselves enjoy it. But when I look at the goldenrod blooming in the ditch, or the purple asters lining the trail, I see that life is meant to be a marvel.
Life is bursting with color and emotion, and we are meant to feel it all- from the pride we feel at our child’s cross-country race, to the contentment found sitting outside in the afternoon’s soft light, to the joy that bubbles over when neighbors gather in the yard around a fire and some football.
Reminder that Hard Work Pays Off
One morning, as I’m making my coffee in the kitchen, I look out the window and see one stunning maroon chrysanthemum standing tall in our garden. I cry out in unexpected delight. You see, my daughter and I had sown wildflower seeds earlier this summer. I’m not much of a gardener, and by early August, we still hadn’t seen anything growing. I chalked it up as a fun experiment and had completely forgotten about those seeds until now.
In the weeks that followed the initial bloom, that singular flower turned into multitudes of goldenrod, white aster, and purple violas. Each afternoon, we harvested our bounty, filling vases with the vibrant blooms.
Today, I sit looking at these flowers, a visual reminder that thoughtful work pays off. I now understand what a true harvest means, and I make a note not to take for granted this act of gathering, of celebrating abundance with gratitude.
Fueling the Fall with Joyful Acts
Autumn expresses itself fully and without inhibition, and I yearn to be that way too. It is nature’s praise, its glory moment of the year, reminding me that celebration co-exists with changing seasons.
Perhaps this is yet another lesson I need repeated each year- instead of viewing time’s passing as a gradual death, which, to be honest, is what the fall season actually is, I can see that the wisdom I am gaining each year deserves to be honored. Not only honored, but also rejoiced.
By mid-October, I am full of exultation, just like the colors surrounding me. My family takes the boat out on the water, one last time, soaking in the warm autumn sun. I dive off my paddleboard into the still waters of Lake Michigan, knowing this will be my last swim until summer. I revisit my favorite trails, noting how the light is changing every day. I make a s’more with my daughter in the yard, sitting by the fire as the stars come alive. Cuddled under blankets, my son and I cheer for the Lions, cherishing this slower routine. I ride my bike over crunchy, colorful leaves, relishing the cool mornings that smell like fall.
These purposeful acts have now led to jubilation, as I continue to soak in the autumn season.
I let these things swell inside me, releasing this praise with words of gratitude, holding nothing back.
Ushering in Gratitude with the Slower Season
To me, it’s no mistake that the holiday of Thanksgiving takes place near the end of the autumn season. It’s our chance to mindfully name things we have experienced this year, both big and small.
By voicing our gratitude, we enter into the winter months focused on joy, allowing goodness to run deep. This is autumn’s truest blessing- the fulfillment that comes through giving thanks.
I know the days are coming when I’ll watch the last of the leaves fall to the ground, leaving behind a barren landscape that will soon be covered in snow. But for now, I sit immersed in color, warmed by the autumn sun, contentment running through my veins.
