“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” ― Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks

Nate knew what he was talking about...

there should be no wasting of these days of autumn.

The summer heat has come to an end and the air feels fresher, lighter and 

without the weight that Texas summers bring.

While friends all over the northern parts of our country are saddened 

by the falling of the leaves and it's implication that cold and wintry days are fast approaching,

it is our happiest time here in the South.

It's our first opportunity to fling open the windows, refresh our homes 

and refresh our spirits after the long months of intense heat.

Time for enjoying the shade and the new colors of autumn.

We should follow the example of our fur babies and enjoy this time.

It's not the time to let panic grab you by the throat

with all the pressure to start shopping for the holidays and 

do, do, do

until you are no longer refreshed by the season...

but exhausted and depleted.

You will have missed this opportunity to slow down and 

be a part of the wonder that surrounds you.

Stop running and ask yourself what it is that you are running to.

When you reach the end of your time here on earth,

did you live?

Existing and living aren't the same thing.

Go outside and put your feet in the cool grass.

Look up at the sky.

Put your hands in the dirt.

Stop chasing the perfect number...the number that makes it enough.

Don't you realize that you are already there?

These last three photos were taken seven years ago.

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know that this is 

my little friend next door, Rachael.

The child that influenced me so and changed me forever with her phrase

"nothing will happen."

These photos are from one of our play days.

I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I can't imagine my life without this day.

We took hundreds of pictures- each one capturing a time in her sweet life

when she hadn't become insecure or worried that she didn't look perfect.

She was just herself...

a happy, chattering, running, piano playing little bundle of joy.

(She also didn't appreciate an up close and personal Corgi kiss.

Virgil passed over the Rainbow Bridge not long after this, 

but he sure did get some smooches in before the end.)

Go play.  Today.  Just go play.

Linking up with:

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday@Kathe With An E