We are on the third (or maybe fourth) leg of our afternoon school pick-up, which means “Lala,” Clementine and I have been sitting in the minivan for a while now. Big sister “J” should arrive any moment with her middle school carpool.
From our waiting spot, back at the corner of Lala’s school, my youngest sees her friends and a few younger siblings cross the street to giant piles of leaves. She asks if she can get out and play in the mounds while we wait. “Of course,” I say, as she pulls the door open.
Clementine the Lab and I can clearly see them from where we sit — the goldenrod, burnt orange and brown foliage. The group of children, wide-eyed and smiling.
Lala greets her friends and proceeds to collect pile after pile of the dry, autumn warmth. Throws handfuls in the air like confetti, armfuls like the piles of stinky laundry she sometimes tosses after her sisters.
With the windows down, I can hear their shrieks of laughter, the way they recreate the game over and over again. Time slows through my windshield. I am capturing this story, collecting memories of young ones gathering up armfuls of freedom.
I toss the pictures in my mind’s eye like precious loads of confetti, letting them fall where they will.
Joining with the lovely Five Minute Friday community again this morning and the word prompt: COLLECT. May you have a weekend filled with fall and good things worth collecting. Bless you, friends.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
Evokes memories of colorful bavarian fall days. Your description transports me back
to those days of innocents and freedom.
I love that, Papa. Some of my most impactful memories of fall were in Bavaria. How I’d love to travel there with you. xo
Ashley, you brought back a memory.
When I lived in San Diego I had a big mulberry tree in the back yard, and every fall it would cover the brick patio in leaves. I had five dogs then (I have many more now!), and one of them would pick One particular leaf, and they would have an insane tag-team tussle to get that specific leaf.
When it was torn to shreds they would find another,, and leave red-gold roostertails of leaves in their playful wakes.
Thank you for bring this alive again for me.
#1 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/09/your-dying-spouse-213-lethal-lessons-fmf.html
Oh my goodness, Andrew. That is fantastic! It’s easy to imagine our dog, Clementine, doing the same with a dog buddy. Thank you for sharing that memory! How rich.
Gorgeous reflection of my favorite time of year, Ash. XO
I, too, LOVE fall. Thanks my friend!
Such a beautiful reflection. I love it. I remember doing it when I was little too. I’m in the 11 spot this week.
Thanks for visiting, Tara! I remember the same…so sweet and simple, isn’t it? Bless you.
Be on the lookout for moments of spontaneous joy. This reads like a beautiful long entry to a gratitude list, one I’m so thankful you captured and shared. As we say goodbye to my husband for a super long business trip, I feel inspired to watch and record those moments of spontaneous joy.
“Moments of spontaneous joy” — yes, Summer. That’s precisely it! Prayers for many of those moments while your husband is away. Sending love.
There’s nothing like the smell of autumn leaves. What a beautiful memory you collected! Visiting from FMF#41
Yes, the SMELL. Earthy and sweet, with just a hint of decay. It really is a one of a kind (and delicious) smell. Thank you for taking me there, Patricia.
I love this so much! So glad you captured this simple and special moment! ❤️
Thank you, sis. So looking forward to sharing many more “simples and specials” with you and the kids this weekend. Love you.
So sweet!!!!
It sure was. Loved sharing a piece of today’s fall afternoon with you, dear friend. xoxo