For some, maybe for many, fall is depressing. Bringing with it the colder months and shorter days, it basically serves as this interim season that leaves us wondering, “c’mon, bring on the snow already!” Early morning commuters look a bit sleepier, a bit more melancholy about the day ahead, and seem to dread the lost daylight as they hop in their cars before the sun rises, most likely to return home long after it has set. And while at times, I reminisce about the lost summer days wishing I could feel the warm sun on my face, this morning I felt different.

This morning I woke up to a window covered in raindrops, and as I stepped outside into the dark mist, it was the familiarity that overwhelmed me. The smell of fresh rain on the pavement, the crisp air, the soggy autumn leaves beneath my feet, the waves of nostalgia reminding me of the many seasons come and gone. But I also found that I had missed this. I missed that feeling of new beginnings, fresh starts, changing of colors. I missed the comfort of a warm drink in my hand, when my hands are actually cold. I missed being able to find candy corns and pumpkin-flavored anything (no joke- I found pumpkin dog treats yesterday!). I missed pumpkins! I missed making homemade soup and the smell of spiced cider filling up my condo. I missed sweaters and boots and slipping into a cozy coffee shop on a cold day just to relax.

Today I was reminded that fall is about change. It reminds us to be thankful for what is behind us, and pushes us steadily forward to a new year. Change is constant- sometimes dreaded, sometimes unwelcome, and sometimes…for the better? So as I fall forward into this new season- albeit a bit colder, living in the dark, and saturated in artificial pumpkin flavoring, I feel excited about changing colors and the year ahead. Now if only I could find a fallen leaf pile to jump into and lose myself in a haunted corn maze…