I am grateful for seasons. As a native Texan I have never experienced the marking of the seasons like we enjoyed in the small towns west for Chicago. We saw an absolutely beautiful display of color and variety. Chicagoland enjoys all four seasons-fall, winter, spring and summer. Texas only has two seasons—heaven and hell. The season between the end of October into the beginning of April is absolutely heavenly, and makes me understand why so many people want to move here. Unfortunately, this season quickly changes into the hellish time of the Texan summer. Now as we enter the fall-winter-spring of Texas (a.k.a. heaven) I am reminded why I live here. There is something about that first breath of cool, dry fall air that completely rejuvenates me. Just about the time I think I can’t take the heat any longer, God seems to drop an amuse-bouche on us and we remember there is hope. This foretaste doesn’t last long, but it’s enough of a break in the heat to help us remember, summer will end and heavenly days are just around the corner.
The Morton Arboretum, Downers Grove, Chicagoland