Another reason I love Autumn is the change in weather. I am no fan of heat and humidity which seems to be heresy for most people. I know my roots are in a small island off the mainland of Italy, but this little sapling withers in the sultry summer weather. I recently discovered the joy of being on Cape Cod and truly can not wait to return. However, what I loved about being on the Cape was the brisk windy days and the beautiful ocean views. Being on the beach and in the water held no charm for me. One day in the far off future when taking a vacation in the fall will be possible, I know that Cape Cod (Chatham in particular) will be my first (and possibly only) destination. Living in London during the winter and spring of 1988 was one of my favorite periods in my life because of the weather. Although England experienced the coldest and snowiest winter it had had in years, it felt like a New York Autumn to me without all the magnificence of changing colors of leaves. The beauty of living in upstate New York in Autumn should go without saying, and adds to my love affair with the temperate season. Maybe the fact that winter often sneaks up on us in New York is another reason why I love Autumn: it sometimes can be as short as 5 weeks. You can all keep your Indian Summers; give me an Indian Autumn extending into December anytime.
Of course, my choice in occupation ranks high on the list of reasons I love Autumn. Around the same time each year for the past 25 years, I have been introduced to 25 or so little people who end up taking a large part in both my thoughts and my heart. The main reason I entered the profession of education is my love of nurturing children, and they continue to be the impetus for me not leaving the profession despite the increasing difficulties associated with being an elementary teacher in the state of New York (thanks so much for all the support, Mr. Cuomo). Now, I know it's no secret that summer is welcome to all teachers because of the chance to refresh and renew during July and August, and I am no different. By the time June rolls around, I am so ready for a break (although most summers are spent working on curriculum, my classroom, and/or some other job in order to supplement my income and to be prepared for the new class). But once we are in the heart of summer, I am dreaming of the Fall. Whether I'm rethinking my classroom management plan or reading new children's books to use in the new year, a good part of my summer is spent with an eye on the upcoming inauguration of a new school year. And God help me, I love being a school teacher.
One last attraction of Autumn is the postseason of baseball. As a RABID Yankee fan for the past 30 years, I have become accustomed to my team making it to the playoffs. In fact, the postseason became a given for me in the glory years of 1996-2000. Mr. Joe Torre should be canonized as far as I am concerned. Even when I see him today in his role as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, my heart flutters in appreciation of all that he has done to make me the smug and proud Yankee fan that I am (Really...if he needed a kidney, I'd give it to him with no questions asked). The glorious Core Four made up of Pettite, Posada, Jeter, and the holy Mariano Rivera always gave me a reason to rejoice as the calendar slowly moved to October. The recent postseasons without the Yankees in the playoffs have been diminished, but that dark period is now over as my beloved team has reached the wild card one game elimination (gulp!). While this may be their only appearance in the postseason, it still adds to my love affair with Autumn.
I guess the one common thread through all of these justifications for Autumn being the best season is that I like change. Baseball strategy has to adapt to the circumstances surrounding the play offs from against whom the Yankees are playing to how Girardi decides to set up the pitching rotation. The approach to the game needs to adapt to the changing conditions. The slow transition from mainly green and brown leaves in the spring and summer to the vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and finally bare branches of the fall makes a commonplace trip from home to work a new journey of discovery almost every single day as more and more trees make the colorful transition. Being able to start anew each school year rejuvenates me and continues to give me hope for the future. I meet a crop of new students full of great aspirations and surmountable obstacles which we can work together to fulfill and to overcome. The cool Autumn breezes clear out the cobwebs from a summer spent miserably sweating or being over chilled in my air conditioned home. The balance of warm and cool seems perfect during late September to early November (which is when winter usual hijacks Autumn).
As for the changes associated with my birthday month...well, here is where Autumn and I sometimes part ways. For as much as I love celebrating my birthday, what I don't love is how my dreams for my future have had to change. From having a child to continuing a relationship with a man I love, my aspirations for my personal life has changed immensely especially in the time period from last fall to this one. Change to me is usually celebrated and welcomed with open arms...except when it comes to my relationships with others. Whether it is facing the changing personality of my elderly mother as she becomes more and more dependent on her children or realizing that some relationships (both platonic and romantic) are meant to be in my life for one season only, I struggle with accepting these adjustments. However, my faith in God, the Universe, and in myself is helping me come to terms with all the changes, both positive and negative, in my life.
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