Monday Morning This and That

 Then summer fades and passes and October comes.
We'll smell smoke then, and feel an unexpected sharpness,
a thrill of nervousness, swift elation, a sense of sadness and departure.

  Thomas Wolfe

Good morning, everyone, on this glorious day of the Autumnal Equinox.  Equinox means 'equal night'. Day and night are about the same length all over the world. At 10:29 pm EST summer will officially be over.  This year, more than any other year, it seems that it was never even here. And as much as I don't like the heat, I always feel a sense of sadness for all those things I had planned on which never came to fruition.  But this summer I accomplished quite a bit...the most important being the decision to take control of my body, to heal myself.  

This is a time to give thanks for the things we have, and I have so much to be grateful for.  I may not have much money, but I have the things that are important in life--love, my wonderful family, Miss Minga, new friendships, having enough to meet my basic needs, watching the sun rise and set, the beauty of the moon, the heavens, and last, but not least, all of you my dear Blogger friends.  All of you who have put up with my rants, my whining, as well as sharing in my joy.  For all of you I am forever grateful.

The Autumnal Equinox is also known as Mabon.   For our ancestors this was traditionally the time of year they rested after after their labors as the sun continues to fade in the sky.  My house is in the process being decorated in the colors of Mabon--red, orange, gold, brown, and russet. Still have curtains to hang and decorations in need of the perfect spot.  Dinner tonight will be roasted chicken, cabbage, and broccoli and cauliflower.  I'll make some wild rice for hubby.  

I never do much in the way of ritual on this day. I guess I am just not a ritual person. I usually light a few candles and talk with my ancestors.  I share with them both my troubles and my achievements, my pain and my joy. So tonight I'll light some gold harvest candles that I've been hanging onto for just this day and begin by saying a small prayer of thanks for the blessings in my life.  Later, in the quiet of the late evening, when dinner and dishes are done, and it is time to cozy up in my chair, take out my journal and make a list of my 'inner harvests', my achievements, and this year I have several.  I am grateful for my life and for the second chance I have been given.  My life is full.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Melody Beattie