Autumn Memories

AUTUMN MEMORIES

My family didn’t go on “leaf peeping” trips in the fall because beautifully-colored leaves were part of our neighborhood. We lived on a small farm and kept animals, my brothers and sister and I had school, and my dad’s job didn’t allow him to take the time off. So, we stayed home.

Nature displayed its beauty all around, and we kids found plenty to do to keep ourselves busy. Some of these fall memories made their way into the pages of my books.

“The blooming of the goldenrod and purple asters and the changing colors of the leaves on the sugar maples made him wish she were here to paint them.” (Meadow Song, p72)

Heart's Desire

“…Aubrey took a deep breath of the crisp air.

Bare tree branches waved at them, and a brisk breeze blew dry leaves across their path. High, wispy clouds scooted across the sky.

‘Wouldn’t it be fun to rake up piles of leaves and jump in them?” Christine caught a single burgundy leaf that floated down in front of her.

‘I was thinking the same thing.” Aubrey stepped on some dry. Brown leaves in her path. They crunched. “We all had so much fun with leaves in the fall when we were kids.’”

(Heart’s Desire, p.120) Her Hearts Longing

“The air held a definite chill that October morning, although the sun shone between gray clouds scooting across the azure sky. The leaves on the trees had passed their peak colors, and the wind shook them loose and carried them to the ground. As many leaves lay underfoot as remained on the trees.

“Several lawns held huge piles of leaves, taking Katie back to girlhood. What fun she, Haleigh, and Aubrey had raking them up and jumping in them, sometimes joined by the White and Abbott boys.” (Her Heart’s Longing, p.38)

The colors of fall are my favorite thing about this season. For many years, I collected and pressed a few leaves just for fun. Have you ever pressed autumn leaves between two pieces of wax paper with an iron and hung them in the window? You can also shred crayons and press them with the leaves. I did this activity in school and at home.

I still like to hear the dried leaves crunch under my feet.

Beth E Westcott