On September 22nd Autumn began in the Northern Hemisphere. In North American English, Autumn is also known as Fall and is one of four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter. Autumn is about big changes. It’s the season when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably. On December 21st it ends. (Wikipedia)
As do a lot of folks in Colorado, it’s the season I begin, somewhat reluctantly, wearing wool socks, knit caps, sweaters, fleece pullovers, gloves, and warm coats!
Leaves on deciduous trees change color to red, yellow, orange, and brown. Leaves contain xanthophyll which makes the leaves look yellow and carotene which makes leaves look orange. It’s “fall” because of the leaves falling from trees at this time of year. And, with the sun’s warmth slowly fading away upon fall’s arrival, the climate shift also brings a shift in produce. This is particularly evident in locations like colorful Colorado. (www.kidsplayandcreate.com )
Like a lot of folks in Colorado, I rake, and rake, and rake too many leaves!
The English poet Keats called this time of year the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,” as autumn is a season known for its harvest times, turning leaves, cooling temperatures and darkening nights. (www.metoffice.gov.uk )
Also, like many of us in Colorado, I miss the longer days of light, particularly when driving to and from work. Thankfully, I’ve always loved sunrises and sunsets that feed my soul.
Why is autumn the only season with two names? Well, whereas summer and winter are more stable concepts, the names fall and spring both derived from similar phrases that were used starting in the early 16th century: “fall of the leaf” and “spring of the leaf.” These were later shortened to their respective seasonal names. (www.babbel.com )
Like autumn, I’ve two names: Douglas Brian, and have shortened one to a “D”, except at TSA checkpoints!
So, as we witness summer turning to autumn, we look toward cooler days and evenings, and the coming rains and snow that will refresh the earth. This is a special time before the holidays here at Wide Horizon, and we rejoice in the evidence of spiritual progress marked by these days that offer the opportunity for quiet reflection on God’s glorious creation. Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear” (p. 509).
Here is a bountiful description of Christian Science nursing, — “beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness” expressed in man’s reflection of divine Love. Beauty, sublimity, purity, holiness and benevolence are qualities of Love, characteristics of the divine nature. Gifts of such qualities in thought are evidence of Mind’s limitless spiritual creation. At Wide Horizon, we feel Spirit moving upon the proverbial waters of our good works. We’re inspired by symbols of gratitude and strive to do our daily deeds with grateful hearts. We hope everyone who enters our doors feels the impulse of Love and the presence of the Lord’s mercy and truth. The daily work in a Christian Science nursing care facility like Wide Horizon is often fulfilling but demanding work, and we are grateful to know we are working together with so many dear friends. It can be and is a holy ministry.
Mrs. Eddy wrote in an article titled “The Way”: “‘Physician, heal thyself.’ Let no clouds of sin gather and fall is mist and showers from thine own mental atmosphere. Hold thy gaze to the light, and the iris of faith, more beautiful than the rainbow seen from my window at the close of a balmy autumnal day, will span thy heavens of thought. A radiant sunset, beautiful as blessings when they take their flight, dilates and kindles into rest. Thus will a life corrected illumine its own atmosphere with spiritual glow and understanding” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, pgs. 355-356).
Now, that’s an autumnal day to embrace!
D. Brian Boettiger
Leave a Reply