I love fall. I love fall festivals, seasonal beers, pumpkin lattes and leather boots. I am an October birthday and happy for a change in weather, in the pace of the days, and the excitement of the election season. I relish gathering closer to home; circling the wagons; cheering for our teams. Andy and I met in the fall, were engaged in the fall, found out we were expecting our first child in the fall. Usually, sometime in the beginning of October, I take stock of where I have been and where I am going, and I conspire.
This summer I re-read the Little House books, which I planned on introducing our kids to. After much build-up and a few restless chapters before bed, I realized it would be the most enjoyable if I read them to myself. Reading again, as a grown-up, I am struck by how hard Laura's family struggled on the prairie, and how grateful they were for small blessings. Fall was hard on those prairies...no latte, and lots of chores. But somehow, the rhythm of their days better matched the pace of the seasons as they unfolded, and it seemed as if they moved in sync with the world a little better than I do. I love most of all, how Laura was able to preserve the heart of her family in the sweet stories.
Tonight, I tucked John Andrew in and snuggled close for a minute, trying to memorize this seven year old boy and somehow also look into his future. He said (since Andy had left to work out) that he was looking forward to being a dad, and lifting weights. That made me laugh, so I said, well I think you'll be a great dad...and husband...and I think there are a few things I want to share with your wife, before you marry her. He was smiling wide and very interested in this scenario. "What will you tell that lady, mom?" Well, for starters, never ever give John Andrew G2 orange Gatorade, because he won't drink it. Also, when you get his sub from Subway, make sure they don't put cheese on it...he hates that. But, he likes the cucumbers in his sandwich, not always in his salad. He's really, really into trains. So, you have to plan your vacations around trains. I want to be sure to tell her that she should never hurt his feelings maliciously, because he is so kind and loyal. And I know he will take the very best care of her and the six kids he'd like to raise with this lucky lady. John Andrew thought this was hysterical and added some of his own. "Tell her not to turn the light off on my when I'm going potty." And, "tell her to sprinkle holy water around my bed at night, because that makes the monsters sick." Also, he added, "never put 'crumbly cheese' (romano-parm) on my fish because I hate that. She can give that to Kalina." He could have kept going and so could I. I don't know exactly what I will say to my son's bride one day, but I hope I can remember this seven year old well enough to share these days. I also hope they are not, "homeless," as John Andrew expects, since "we will be young and have no money for a house." Maybe they could just move to the Dakotas and rig a claim shanty up like the Ingalls and so many others did before him.
