Autumn Blessings

This year has been quite the year. So much crazy. So much uncertainty. So many things cancelled. So many disappointments. Sometimes I feel like it would be so easy to slip into an endless spiral of woe-is-me. 

However.

When I find myself edging toward the slippery slope of self pity, I try to focus on things I am grateful for. 

We are all healthy.

Hubby still has a job. The kids are doing alright.

I'm able to find free time to be creative and explore new things. 

It's October in Chicagoland and I can still ride my bike. (though, each time feels like it will probably be the last one, so it always feels special)

And Chicago's autumn has been so very beautiful this year. 

Typically, we always joke that we get two weeks of autumn squeezed between high summer and full-blown winter. This year, it's been a glorious, gradual transformation. 

And some years, the prettiest leaves have been hiding out in the forest preserves. 

But this year, they are all around town. Every drive, every bike ride, I see some fabulous color that gives me pause and I say a little prayer of thanks. 

Truthfully, it feels like a tender mercy. This year has been such a dumpster fire, and I'm really not looking forward to winter. Being able to go outside has been one of the good points keeping us sane this summer; all that will be more difficult with the onset of winter. 

And though the holidays will undoubtedly look different, and what is "typical" or "normal" will continue to shift and change, we will get through the winter. 

It might be more challenging, but we will figure out ways to make it fun. 

In the meantime, I am going to conscientiously savor this beautiful autumn we're having.. and keep on counting my blessings and practicing gratitude. 

'Cuz we got this.