Bonjour October!

 October is here! And I remember the many beautiful things about October and Fall in general. The lighting, the coolness to the air, the crunch of leaves and the orange and red highlights in dispersed in the leaves are some of the outward depictions and changes that I love. I can't deny that I'm looking forward to wrapping up this year overall, and seeing how these weeks, and months unfold. 

What I also love about Fall is the deeper awareness, appreciation of reflection, and contemplation. There's a real beauty of connecting with nature in this way, and I always feel like this distinct season does that for me. It comes where I can depict previous Autumns and reminisce and go back in time to what was happening them. 

I have vivid and special memories from when I was a student in Junior College and actively participating in student events and creating them, getting to know the other people involved in student government and finding my place, and inspiration in my English classes. Or the days after college and enjoying the freedom of no longer being a student and embracing planning lessons for students, and walks and runs on crisp and cool Fall mornings at a favorite park. Even the hard parts and days come back to me in full swing when not a lot was going on, like in Fall 2018 or feeling stuck, uninspired and undergoing big transitions like in Fall 2016.

This Fall also has its own unique vibe to it. It's the first Fall without my sweet sister above me in a couple years, and a time when distant learning has its own learning curves, adjustments or even lack of real stimulation. It's a time that is very special and distinguishable, but also one of a little nostalgia from years past. I can recall many memories from last Fall season and how enjoyable they were and sharing time with my sister at home. Those nail times, classic movie dates we would make for ourselves, and going together to Mass, how precious they were! But this time has its own intimacy, uniqueness and describable feelings of growth, realizations and a surge in faith and continued trust for what's ahead.  

Something that I've had on my mind lately as a dose of inspiration and goals is to study French! I haven't touched it in years and years, but the desire of starting it up again has rekindled a side project and a deeper awareness of the culture, history, and even a lot of the saints whom I didn't even know had a French background. I feel that there are many saints who I will grow in devotion to and feel more connected to due to embracing the French language again. 

There was a memory that came up for me recently from a former contact back in Junior College, and how for a little bit of time we would text each other in French. And I realized how much came back to me and the advantage of communicating through writing in a foreign language can be, also the fun and enjoyment. That Fall I had a burned CD of songs I liked that my sister burned for me and I named it 'Bonjour Ami', since that's how my old friend and I would start our French conversations. 

I feel these (French) saints can inspire and help me throughout this season and journey; Sts. Louis, Zelie and Therese of Lisieux and the many others that I have come across that I want to learn more about and grow in devotion to.  Happy start to Fall, all things festive, pumpkin and apple, scarves and caramel and spice lattes and a list of inspirations to carve out the year!