Autumnal

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. I love the cool, brisk weather. And Mom was always a fan of Sunday drives through rural areas adorned in the vivid colors of autumnal leaves.

The season arrives escorted by the memories of yesteryear's holidays and other special occasions. Mom had an October birthday. And several cousins, who lived around the corner from my childhood home, celebrated November birthdays.

Halloween was always a mischievous treat in those bygone days before fundamentalists mucked it up with Harvest Parties at schools and their Fall Festivals, etc.

It's Halloween people. Get over it.

(Ya don't have to summon a demon or swear your allegiance to Satan. Just pretend you’re a vampire and get candy, or scare the neighborhood kiddies with elaborate tricks.)

Of course, November brings Thanksgiving, too. And the Thanksgivings of my youth were always special. We always had fun-filled gatherings of the extended family with games and delicious food. It was comforting. It was family.

Christmas wasn't far behind. And Mom always decorated to the nines. I loved going to the old church on December evenings with Dad, while he rehearsed the Christmas cantata and I wandered around looking at the greenery and candles in the sanctuary windows, placing my hand on the cold cinderblocks of the walls and listening to the organ and carols.

It all began with autumn -- like cresting the first big hill on a rollercoaster.