September Arrives at Work - What?!!

September has arrived at work. Just like that, Labor Day came and went. August? Oh, right, it's gone - in a flash. Which wasn't so bad, since it - and most of the summer - was wet beyond imagining in these parts. More rain, sometimes, day after day, than memory serves.

And heat - let's not forget that. The "HHH" - Hazy, hot, humid - that typically "blesses" us for much of the summer (and this one more than most) was particularly oppressive. Air conditioning in the office (and home, thank the Lord) alleviates the worst of it. But somehow it lays its heavy hand on many a day, even when there's no reason to go outside. (Having discussed this with others, they agree that you "feel" it even in your cool surroundings. Weird.)

So will September bring a change? Well, fall is coming, although it's still officially summer. And with that, the theory is we get cooler, drier weather. Eventually we get the beautiful colors of leaves changing later in the fall. We'll see what happens this year. The past few years have brought color, but its been a kind of minimal degree compared to other autumns. Why the variance? Don't know.

Something personal: Every fall there's a recollection of one particular season driving daily to an office north of here. The road, lined with trees, was colorful to a degree where concentration on the business at hand (driving) was curtailed. You had to make a supreme effort to keep your eyes on the road, rather than the leaves.

Oh, and this particular memory includes driving with one of our sons who did some work for us then. Sharing beauty with your son is a special blessing.

All good. Savoring such memories - especially in the face of persistently unpleasant weather - can salvage a day's work from slipping into the doldrums. 

Then again, doldrums are more appropriate to July and August. And they're gone now. So what's coming around the corner?

Well, here's one way to look forward, based on relatively happy memories of the past.

Begin with - as we noted - the fall. In these parts, many of us consider it a glorious season. It's a time of invigorating change from the long slog of summer heat to the refreshing breezes of autumn, with its colorful backdrop, even if we get another of those so-so years.

Some of us go apple picking. We did it for years when our gents were boys. It's tailed off, but some of the gents still find an orchard or two and bring us a slug of those fresh, crisp apples.

Then there's Halloween. Kids look forward to this. The years of taking the boys around the 'hood to Trick or Treat are done, but some of their kids revive the anticipation and joyful participation of Halloween's tricks and treats. 

After that, well, we'll get to that next time. For now, a couple of September thoughts:

If work pace and intensity picks up - as it often does after some summer slumber - we can - better should - simply turn to Our Lady and Our Lord for their help. We can - should - trust totally in God to help us meet the challenges at hand.

In the midst of what may be busier days, try to take moments to recollect that we work for God and in God's Presence.

And if we can take such little mental breaks, let the coming season "fall" into our minds and hearts such that our work does not preclude our appreciation for the glory of God's Creation.