The Turning Of A New Leaf

Standing outside of our little southwestern town, you can start to sense the first hints of fall beginning to arrive. The tops of the green trees start to be undertaken by the warm colors of different yellows, oranges, and reds. The start of a new season that everyone looks forward to with anticipation. While summer is a time of joy and exciting experiences, fall is a time that our town comes together. It is the time of togetherness. From gathering with loved ones for holidays, to sitting in the spot you have sat with your friends for years at this Friday's home football game, fall is an overall time to embrace the community around us and celebrate the changes around us.

The changing of the leaves along a few of our tree lined streets is a picture-perfect site to see. The wind blows through these tunneled streets with such grace, bringing along the fallen leaves. There is a crisp new breeze coming into town that returns annually to conclude the summer heat that everyone has grown to enjoy. Heaters are being warmed back up once again and this signals the need for cozy evenings spent by the fireplace. Going outside now includes the preparations of knowing that it will get cold tonight and you should probably bring a jacket with you. There are new sounds that come with the commencement of fall. Children at the playground during school hours, crushing of the leaves when walking, and hearing the cheers form whatever local sporting event is going on that night.

A community like ours is the most together during this time of the year. Friday night Football games are the event to attend for our town. You could have no relation to anything or anybody playing or a part of that night, but it is the place to be. Listening to the support of the student section, along with the parents. Or the cheers from our school’s cheerleading squad. Friday night lights are for all ages to enjoy and our team puts on a show for their hometown. The bond of people attending these events is something so simple that most people don't realize the connections that they are making. The smell of popcorn and hot chocolate from the concession stand is the scent that fills the stands. These smells and sounds are just one more thing that reminds us that fall is finally here. The Fall Fest, Mexican Independence Festival, Home Products Dinner. Just a few of the things that our community band together to celebrate everyone's accomplishments, culture, and heritage. People begin to search for the nearest pumpkin patch to go and take the ones that they love with them. The making of fall treats bring the smells of everyone's favorite fall scents and tastes.

So as the leaves change, change also begins within the people. We find the beauty of the changes occurring around us outside, so we begin to find the grace in making changes in our own hand. We make more decisions not for ourselves, but for those we care about, and the community we'd like to have a positive impact upon. All the people in this small southwestern town are interconnected with each other. We feel the emotions of this time of year but we also receive the support from the important people that surround us. During this time we are maturing into being grateful for every moment we have with a group of people we have the chance to be with. It is a time we will never get back, although fall will always be back in just a year. We build traditions for the people that come after us to follow and be able to feel closer to their family.

As we let ourselves embrace into this new fall season, we all take a moment to be grateful for those before us, those around us, and those that will soon come after us. We embrace the little celebrations and traditions we have in our little town. These things are what connects all of us and we are able to encourage newcomers to come and be a part of it. The days will start to grow shorter, and days will get busier. The temperature starts to go down and everyone begins to settle into the new normal of this fall. So, before the frigid winter arrives, we all take this time to come together and cherish the time we have during this fall. Embrace the fall, and use this time to turn over to a new leaf and be a part of your community's beautiful tradition of togetherness in the fall.