Fall in the South is my favorite season
“Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.” ~ Robert Browning
Walking through busy Pamplona, Spain, following the 8 a.m. running of the bulls, the cobblestone streets overflowed with young and old, and the whole bull thing was a distant memory. Spilling onto the walkways were families, children and then, I spied these two.
An older couple, they walked hand-in-hand in their San Fermin white with the traditional red scarves and sashes announcing this was not their first attendance at this traditional festival. People zig-zagged in front of them rushing into the open doors of eateries for sangria and the iconic Spanish churros with chocolate, but he never let go of her hand. They were polished: in their dress and in their adoration for the other.
I looked at Len and grabbed his hand. With my eyes I told him to glance ahead at the couple. Of all the images we captured during our summer trip to Spain, this one means more than any others. This is who I want to be, a person who doesn’t let go.
Be it love, business, travel, relationships, projects—the list goes on—don’t let go.
As summer cools down and fall opens its arms to a multitude of opportunities, I have a calendar with more “to-do” items than ever before. And each one is as important as the next. Like clockwork, I read through my weekly calendar every Sunday evening, prioritize and take a deep breath. And more often than not, autumn’s days seem to be the busiest. And yes, I like it like that.
I refuse to let go off all those things that I simply must do. If I had two-to-three more lifetimes to undertake all these dreams, I’m not sure that that would be enough. I love the busyness of work.
I must get to the Cyclorama in Atlanta. I did visit once, but I was on a fifth-grade field trip and wore a new white poufy dress with coordinating black patent leather shoes for a day of cyclorama and zoo exploration. Needless to say, I was miserable. I looked good but those shoes left blisters that remained for months.
I haven’t tailgated since I was a senior at UGA. For now, I’ll hold the fond memory of watching Len battle the other photographers on the sidelines for that perfect shot and in reality, the big screen in my living room will be my stadium.
A fall festival or two prepares me for wood fires and sweater weather. The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee has always held a special place in my heart. Perhaps because it was my daddy’s favorite adventure right alongside his heading to Blairsville for sorghum syrup.
Realizing that there are more fall seasons behind me than in front of me, I take that as a challenge to not let go of so many wonderful things to do during my favorite season. So, I will get up and get going. After all, fall in the South is the most wonderful time of the year.
