Ok - so we’re on our way home from the restaurant - driving sort of north by northwest ( wasn’t that an old movie --- yes actually a Cary Grant 1959!!) and I’m struck by the sky - it’s just dark enough that the clouds are in bas relief against the sky - sort of a paled down version of milky midnight blue. Yet other transition point - the now fall night sky versus yesterday’s summer….
The change of seasons is one of those obvious transitions - from season to season………………but it also brings with it a change in mindset - a change in mood - tank tops to sweaters - sandals to loafers - swimming pool to hot tub……………………
We are entering the season of dying down, trees turning crimson gold, corn is a golden glow in the fields, the beans are almost dry and hard……………
I’m thinking that this is a transition that we need - from the frenzied activities of summer to the more relaxed days of fall - warm sun but cool air and nights, a gearing down towards the cold days to come - and yes the holiday madcap - but that is a different story……………
In the church year we are quickly coming to the end. Advent, the beginning of the new church year - the season of waiting and expectation -  is right around the corner - a mere 7weeks away………but in the meantime, rather than live in the future, we do need to remember that we are in the now and relish each moment because it will never be repeated……….
And so I guess I’m suggesting that we be grateful - that I be grateful - for what is now - be it a funny silly spouse - a mea culpa from a friend that forgot something important to you - a shared meal with a loved one - a bon voyage to a co-worker off on another life journey - whatever…………
Gratitude is the ultimate transition between life dead and life loved and alive………………