It's half term here; and, to blow away the cobwebs on Sunday afternoon, I talked everyone into going out for a walk. We live in the city, but a few minutes in the car takes us to a truly beautiful spot. As we rustled leaves through the rain, I realised that we had reached another stage in family life. We weren't pushing buggies or holding hands or looking for conkers or even urging everyone along with the promise of an ice cream at the end. We were all there, together, because we chose to be. And that was good.
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| A few Hipstamatic pictures from Sunday |
It got me thinking about October, at the end of this favourite month of mine, and how it has found me through the years:
- The delicious danger of the dark when we were little: chasing round the garden dressed in our costumes and lighting our way with a lantern we'd carved ourselves.
- The happy hazards of teenage years when there was promise in the lights going out. And when we came to the city to shop; searching out Christmas gifts in the starry lights of streets scarred by Troubles, but brighter and braver than anything we knew in the country.
- The first years of a working life, when the swirl of leaves round our feet cheered a wait at the bus stop in the morning; and a homemade apple tart to carry on the family tradition became a personal culinary achievement.
- And then we wrapped babies up snugly and pushed them to the park to look at the trees. We sent them to school dressed to thrill and we waited for the mid term break to calm us all briefly before Christmas.
I guess that part hasn't changed. The woods soothed us all on Sunday; and we're having a good break this week. And maybe the rest hasn't changed too much either. Granny still celebrates her birthday at Halloween with apple tart and witchery; and we'll be there, hoping Little E has brought his costume. There's a school Fling on tonight and maybe the lights will go out. We'll be at home, sweeping leaves from the path so the miniature ghouls, goblins and the rest know where to find us. Whatever you are up to tonight - have a good one!
Storytelling Sunday - this weekend! If you are interested in a theme I'm suggesting " a dark and stormy night" (and very much hoping that everyone across the ocean from us here won't be drawing on personal experience this week..) But all stories of any kind are, of course, very welcome.
Storytelling Sunday - this weekend! If you are interested in a theme I'm suggesting " a dark and stormy night" (and very much hoping that everyone across the ocean from us here won't be drawing on personal experience this week..) But all stories of any kind are, of course, very welcome.
32 comments:
What a lovely reflective post. I'm still in the stage of searching for conkers and dressing up, but i do love this time of year.
Lovely collection of family snaps Sian. I was only reflecting just now, on my two being uninterested this year now that they are both teens. I posted last night about an idea I had for a mini quilt-a-long, to make a hand stitched block. I'm hoping a few folks might join me :o)
fabulous photos - what a great wood to walk in. I'd been thinking along simillar lines - with my Mum now using a walker it feels like we are back to the walking slow, waiting for catch up and cajoling - but with reversed roles
The area in which we live was originally woodland and despite much housing being built over the years it is still only literally 3 mins from my front door to countryside. My kids were conkers fanatics and the trees around here did not disappoint. Comments such as 'do you really need a whole carrier bag of conkers each?' were met with derisory looks - of course they needed hundreds of conkers, how else would they find the perfect one?!
I did a layout last night reflecting on the coming to an end of family traditions, which happens when the kids all grow up. Your post captures my thoughts better than I did.
What are "conkers"???
Don't you love (and dread a little) those moments as a family when you realized you've transitioned from one phase to the next - but the change is good as along as everyone is along for the ride (or in your case, walk).
We live next to a large park....and spent hours in there when the kids were little....DS always wanted conkers.....but the DDs collected pine cones to decorate for christmas.
Actually we still collect pine cones for christmas!
That is a lovely path your family is walking :) I wish our trees would keep their leaves long into October, but that never happens. This would make a pretty layout with all your little stories added for journaling.
Happy Halloween!
What a beautiful post. October has been a wonderful month hasn't it. It made me think as I read your words because I guess that I am somewhere inbetween the teenage years and the setting up a home. I love walking to my lectures in the crunchy leaves. On a saturday my friends and I often go for a walk along the river. It calms everything down I feel!
What a lovely post and it really resonated. I drove my gang out on monday and we were lucky to have the sunshine between the showers. The real magic though was my eldest finding the peace and calm to talk to me about something on his mind and we shared a bittersweet conversation about growing up and older. In fact it has now given me my Simply a Moment for Alexa's challenge.
I am loving half-term here, I haven't not worked full-pelt over October half-term since Alex was a baby and I am thoroughly enjoying it....I hope yours continues as well.
So true - how things change, and yet certain things stay the same... Lovely post, Sian :)
I was fascinated to see that Cheri hasn't come across conkers! Funny how much I take for granted that we share knowledge and experience and then suddenly I'll come across something that means nothing to me, or vice versa, because of a geographical variance! Another example of how some things are so very different and yet some are very much the same...
Sounds like a wonderful afternoon outing! We love to get out and walk on a trail! Happy Halloween!
This is such a lovely post Sian. Autumn is my favourite month and I think that this years colours are so much more vibrant than last year. The trees here are simply glorious, just like your photo's.
Beautiful, just beautiful
Isn't it amazing how those changes sneak up on you when you're not looking! But every phase is one to treasure! Gorgeous photo's & a lovely reflective post...it's left me feeling all 'warm & fuzzy!' :D
Dropping in and out of different periods of your life but with a common theme is a really special way to celebrate the month of October. The photographs ground your story in a wonderful, seasonal fashion.
I do hope your mum enjoyed her birthday. Mine was extra special too.
Beautiful photos and wonderfully written reflections, Sian - and how photogenic is The Tall One! Hoping you Mum enjoyed her birthday and that you continue to maintain and develop family traditions for years to come. :)
Cherish those walks! The "kiddoes" will be gone before you know it! You pictures are gorgeous. Just goes to show, FALL anywhere is beautiful!
Lovely, evocative photos . . . I find that family outing continue to be very rewarding no matter how old my "children" get.
What lovely photos. I'm thinking about searching for pine cones at the moment and wondering if I missed them. I hope you get to enjoy a few more walks in the woods before al the leaves disappear.
Lovely post. Thanks for the reminder to balance the memories with gratefulness for the present. Fall is a lovely, nostalgic time of year, especially leading into the holidays.
Oh, Sian, you touched a nerve today as I wonder how my baby boy can possibly be **6** and how my little, even more baby, Panch was, this morning, asking for Barbie's from Santa.....they grow up so quick :( What can one do? How much longer will they want me to read to them at bedtime? Cook them their favourite funny-shaped pancakes for breakfast? Oh, my heart aches for what will come....
Such a lovely post! We are just starting to reach that point where there is no need to bribe with ice cream.
Then there are those who collect conkers when well past collecting pension age ;)
Lovely reflective post - I've been looking at mine and trying to imagine next year when Princess will be off at Uni. Dragging them all out for a walk on Saturday.
I am here to try again because I love this post Sian!
Our two love nothing more than having a family adventure and I strongly believe it comes from my love of family adventures too - they are strongly encouraged over here! Long may they live.
I still have adventures with my parents and siblings :-)
I love October also. Of course I am thrilled about all the changing seasons. However, there is something almost magical about October. It's like a promis is in the air!
October is my favourite month too, all of the colours and the crisper air. Great photos from your walk.
A beautiful post, Sian. How lovely that all of you were on that walk together by choice. There are some really good things about kids growing up. :o)
Sounds like a lovely walk! Robbie & I took a quick walk around the neighborhood this week, but haven't been out for a nature walk in a while.
I love all the hipsta-photos today. And this gave me a chance to reflect back on the changes in how we've celebrated halloween over the years.
Thanks!
Rinda
What a lovely post Sian great looking path for your walk. Not sure what a conker is but I have an idea. Is it a chestnut?
Lovely photos Sian. It does something squishy to your insides when you realise something has changed like that doesn't it?
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