Ghosts of Golden Autumns Past

Culture, Home, Inspiration

Autumn 2008 ~ Western North Carolina.

A whispering wind shook the trees as if to announce her arrival. Amber, orange, and crimson leaves glided down and carpeted the ground. Autumn had arrived in all her glory. All creation on the mountain knew; We’ll never be the same. If I close my eyes I see a million piles of leaves, miles of pumpkin patches and our Golden Retriever running amuck by a mountain stream or an apple orchid. If I listen closely, I hear my boy’s enthusiastic voices playing tag, slurping hot cocoa, or calling my name. These are a few of the memories that remind me of the days I was needed and so loved. Each moment, beautiful and vivid, but now they come and go like ghosts of golden autumns past.

Time, ghosts, and grateful boasts…

Autumn has a way of holding my attention. Amazing colors wow and remind me of a million vibrant memories and new tales waiting to be told. I wonder why I let any of them lay dormant as if they were ghosts buried in my closet, waiting to be set free. Today, I stare at clumps of withered leaves under a twisted maple, grateful my garden has a warm blanket covering it this winter.

Sow. Reap. Live deliberately.

I pray vivid reminiscences of God’s love and kindness always encourage my children and grandchildren to grasp the meaning of gratitude and love, reaping and sowing, sharing and caring. Help us strive to live deliberately, Lord. After all, might genuine thankfulness and gratitude help us turn away from becoming careless manipulators or ungrateful takers? I only hope I’ve passed bits of wisdom on to my boys and grandchildren.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

But…

Like autumn’s glistening sky or winter’s quiet slumber, the vibrancy of these remembrances will fade away, if we let them. Maybe the brightest colors represented a dad’s promise to always love his bride and watch over his children long after he’d gone. It’s similar to what Jesus said to his disciples: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  For that I am grateful.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Chronicles 16:34

Leaning into Fall…

So I’m leaning into Fall. The harvest is here. Apple or pumpkin pie and ice cream calls. I’m excited about family get-togethers, turkey, and decking the halls (although I’ll pray for not so much chaos or extra pounds). While we make new memories, I hope we’re reminded of the many simple truths autumn offers to teach us about gratefulness. In all seasons…if we’re willing to learn—and hopefully, before the beautiful colors of our lives fade and fall away. May all become priceless moments loved ones will one day cherish and never forget; the ghosts of golden autumns past.

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:36 ESV

Dear friends,

I hope you love Fall (and all its craziness) https://inspireafire.com/in-all-things/ as much as I do. I cna’t help but smile because I know winter and all it’s wonder awaits. https://inspireafire.com/the-warmth-of-winter-and-all-its-wonders/ Have you ever wondered about vivid memories of particular autumns past? Favorite fun memories with your kids? Please join the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the Inspire A Fire comments section below this post ~

Wishing you love, blessings, and joy for the journey.

JC

Stop by the quirky Dreamdove’s Flights Of Fancy blog, or visit my children’s chapter book Amazon page ~ https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com http://joannclaypoole.com/ http://goodreads.com/joannclaypoole http://www.amazon.com/author/joannclaypoole

*Final thanks: Featured photo by Johannes Plenio (jplenio) on Pixabay. Gallery #1 Images by: PamjPat, lumix 2004, Lorraine Cormier (ljcor), and Lisa runnels (Greyerbaby) on Pixabay.Gallery # 2 Images by: MabelAmber, Stux, Steven Marc (eyeImage), and StockSnap on Pixabay. Gallery #3 Images by: Joshua Choate (jchoate), StockSnap, Victoria Borodinova and Rebekka D (Castleguard)on Pixabay. Gallery #4 Images by: Fred Bayley (kiteline),  Lorraine Cormier (ljcor). Bottom Image by  Mam5032


      Joann Claypoole

      Joann Claypoole is an author, speaker, and former spa-girl entrepreneur. She's a wife, mother of four sons, “Numi” to four grandchildren, doggie-mom of two. The award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helper’s (ages 5-9 MJ Publishing2015) would rather be writing, hiking in the mountains, or inviting deer and other wildlife to stay for dinner near her western NC writing retreat. Visit her website: joannclaypoole.com and WordPress blog: https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com/

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      7 comments

      2. This brings me back to my childhood, with my parents and sister, picking apples in the apple orchard,getting our pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, collecting all the beautiful leaves with their vibrant colors, and a much simpler and easier way to life.

        3. Joann
          I don’t know why this might not be your favorite. I think it is so beautiful
          We must slow down and enjoy every memory
          Thanks for reminding us all of that
          You are precious to all of us who know you

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