My mother was born in October on the 4th day. I smiled last week when I turned the calendar on her birthday and there was a picture of a bowl of pears. Pears were my mothers favorite fruit. I was thinking about all the things my mother liked: pears, the color green, a good cup of coffee (with cream), Girl Scouting, and studying The Bible. My mother was an awesome Sunday School teacher. She also had a quit wit and was frequently called upon to come up with a funny poem or essay.
October also reminds me of color. The leaves on the trees change color. The sunsets are more beautiful than ever. The golds and maroons and purples of autumn flowers are cheery and comforting. The orange pumpkins and the colorful gourds that we see around just gleefully shout out "October".
The end of the month brings the little ones trick or treating. I think as long as we downplay the evil side of Halloween, the day can be fun for the kids and time of joy. I remember in our old neighborhood in Edgewood, children would be everywhere. We're in the city now and don't get as many, but I digress...
October! It means The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock who so beautifully describes an October evening as an allegory for a stage of life. I used to claim that poem as a personal favorite when I subscribed to the the philosophy of existentialism. That was until "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons" gave way to the Glorious Gospel and "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly". Still, I like Eliot's October evening description:
"...The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep."
And so I love October. I love that today is 10-10-10. I love this day that The Lord has created. Enjoy this month, my friends.