Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. So said Albert Camus, an author, journalist and philosopher. It seems now our second spring is almost upon us.
With only mere days left in a month associated with long days and sunshine, the first glimpses of fall have flashed through summer’s warmth. Autumn is slipping into what remains of August, and September is just around the corner.
Temperatures are still reaching high 20s at this point. It’s warm enough to sneak in another trip or two to the beach for a swim, and t-shirts are still an acceptable and practical attire choice.
However, those same temperatures are also creeping into single digits when darkness falls. And darkness is coming quicker with each passing day.
The sunlight that normally shone through windows at 5:30 a.m. as nature’s natural alarm clock has begun hitting the snooze button. Instead of lazily drifting over the sky throughout the evening, sometimes dragging out until past 11 p.m., dusk quickly darkens the skies only hours after the workday is done.
In the back of your mind you know it won’t be long before the leaves on the trees start to lose their life and fall to the ground. The trees are still green and lush, but you can tell their full branches are shivering with the newly chilled breeze.
Does autumn earn itself an unwarranted fear because of what follows? Does its beauty and all it has to offer get forgotten in thoughts of winter’s harshness?
Let’s not forget before the leaves meet the ground, they make sure to give a vibrant display of colour. Before snow blankets the town we get to hear the crunch of crisp orange and yellow leaves beneath our feet. Before heavy winter coats are necessary we get to wear cozy, comfy sweaters.
Autumn is a beautiful season that should be accepted with love, not feared. Forget the dark and dreary days that follow. Forget the snow and ice, the bone-chilling cold, and the layers upon layers needed to stay relatively warm in -30 degree weather. Cherish what remains of summer, and embrace the sweater weather that awaits us.
Winter is coming, but it isn’t here yet.
If you ventured into Barrhead this weekend, you may have seen small groups of youth running madly around town participating in Barrhead’s Amazing Race. They stuffed their faces with donuts, jumped into the pool fully clothed, and scavenged under the seats of the movie theatre.
Events like this are great for youth. It’s a way to enjoy what’s left of summer, while spending time with friends and meeting new people. The tasks required everyone to work together, and it wasn’t uncommon to hear cheers and shouts of encouragement.
It’s also times like this when you really get to see how tight knit and supportive a community is. Businesses throughout Barrhead had no problem donating their time or supplies in order for these children and young adults to have a fun-filled afternoon.
The Bakery supplied donuts, B-Towns allowed their dining area to be taken over by kids folding pizza boxes, and Footworks took the time to patiently teach a quick dance routine, to name a few.
We are lucky to live in a community where something like this is possible.
So, when is the Barrhead Amazing Race for adults?
