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It’s been a busy couple of weeks around our house. We got to have our ‘college kid’ home for a couple of days last weekend, which involved a couple trips to Logan, and it was so good to see her and give her a big hug! I’m so proud of her and all she is accomplishing!
But in-between drives, work and church responsibilities, and just the the hectic pace of everyday life, I’ve been busy canning and freezing food from our garden or donations from generous friends and neighbors. I’m so grateful for it when I’m finished, but it makes for lots of late nights and aching backs that make it a little harder to appreciate at the moment. But I truly am grateful that we have had ample water and good weather to make it possible to harvest and preserve food for the upcoming months. Such a blessing to have plenty to eat and share with others!
But, enough about me! Today we have the pleasure of another guest blogger! Brina Norwood, a member of our office staff, shares some of her thoughts about the season and what she is grateful for.
She writes:
The dictionary defines autumn as: “The season of year between summer and winter, lasting from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice and from September to December in the Northern Hemisphere; fall.”
I absolutely love this time of year, which consists of brisk mornings and evenings, with the absolute perfect temperature during the day. I love taking long walks in the evenings with my kids and hearing their excitement about their day as the sun begins to set in the distance. I love feeling the leaves on the ground beneath my feet as we walk past the tree-lined street with an array of different colors falling from the monster of trees all around us. The fields in the country are being harvested and the farmers are hard at work even after the sun goes down.
I love the excitement on my husbands face as he brings in the harvest from our small little garden and surprisingly shows me the huge cucumber that we missed in our last several attempts of harvesting our garden. This cucumber could have won an award at the fair a few weeks ago.
I love helping my kids submit their art projects at the fair that they’ve excitedly and thoroughly worked on for the year. Then we have the anticipation of seeing what place they took in their categories.
How did I get such creative kids? I’m so not creative, but the good Lord knew I needed some creativity to spice up my life. I’m so thankful for my kids and what they have taught me. On our long walks, my daughter is always dancing around practicing a new step/move and singing with her beautiful voice while my son always points out the tips of the mountaintops or the array of clouds and their different shapes or the beautiful sunset still peaking out at us.
I hate to admit it but often times I have been known to go too fast and not take the time to “smell the roses.” I can remember any set of numbers your throw at me…but did I ever stop to recognize the different colors of clouds? Did I even notice the beautiful orange in the sunset? Did I even know there were tips on those mountaintops? What about the shadow coming off those mountains or trees? How did I miss all this beautiful detail?
I’m so beyond thankful for what my kids have taught me and guess what? They are both born in the autumn/fall. Coincidence? I think not.
Thank you so much, Brina! I read a quote again this week that your words brought back to mind:
“Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured.” – Gordon B Hinckley
I so admire you for your work ethic and the sacrifices you and your husband make for your family. But, you are right – we need to notice the little things, too, and learn how to enjoy the time we have here with our loved ones! Thank you for that reminder! I’m glad to have you as a friend and co-worker.
Oh, and for those of you who don’t know – Brina’s son was the ‘artist’ behind one of my favorite Progressive Forage Grower covers (drawn when he was only eight years old)! Click here to see it! He’s pretty amazing! Thanks again, Brayden! I’ll always love this picture!