9.22.2006

fall

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times...
You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings
Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you


It's starting to feel like fall here in NJ. Last week there were a few rainy days which made me happy ... I like rain, particuarly gentle mists when you can walk in the rain. In my beloved Northwest fall means rain. But I also like the east coast version of Fall. Growing up in Maryland it was my favorite season, and I'm looking forward to seeing the trees change their colors.

There's a tree outside my window here at the Novitiate house. I set up my prayer space right in front of the window and hence spend a lot of time here looking at the tree. Right now the tree is full of green leaves. They were more lush when I got here, now they're starting to get a little droopy. When the leaves fall I think I'll have a good view of the George Washington Bridge and NYC skyline.

But in any case, it struck me at some point in my reflections over the past few weeks that I'll be journeying this year with my tree. The leaves will fall ... my leaves will fall as I live more and more gently into this year of retreat. One day the branches will be bare ... and I may feel bare and my life spare at times. But new life will come, for both me and my tree.

Tomorrow we're heading away from the Novitiate House for a day at our retreat house on the shore. It's a gathering of Sisters & Associates. I'm looking forward to the chance to share and get to know some of the East Coast groovy sisters and associates. While most of this year I like my tree will be stationary in this spot, at least there are times when we get to get away! It will be good to say hello to the ocean as well.

Peace to all my bloggy friends. I think I'm almost ready to come back to this blogging thing in some semi-regular form. And thanks for all the prayers ... please keep them coming!

3 comments:

Lisa said...

The image of the tree as companion is really thought-provoking! I like it.

Enjoy the shore! Even in the rain, it's beautiful!!

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

Thank you Susan ... wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Susan, Lovely to have you blogging again! I see we now have a small society of Susans talking away on your blog. I also take fall as my favorite season and enjoy all the companion trees around the cabin in their work of unleafing and de-needling (many of them being Douglas Firs) at this time of year.

Welcome back to blogland!