Things That Are Bringing Me Joy This Fall
One of my favorite things about fall in New Hampshire is the way the season invites us to slow down and enjoy some of the simple things in life. The beautiful colors, cooler temperatures, and cozy evenings at home are just a few of the things I look forward to every year.
This fall has been especially full, with family weddings, time with my kids, and plenty of fall favorites to enjoy along the way. I thought it would be fun to share a few of the things that are bringing me joy right now. Some are big things, and others are just little everyday pleasures, but they're all making this season a little sweeter.
Fall Leaves
The foliage has been so beautiful here in New Hampshire! From the bright pinks and reds to the more subdued rusts and browns, the colors have been gorgeous.
One of my favorite things is going for a walk in the morning when there's still a little fog hanging over the lake and the bright leaves are peeking through. It's such a beautiful way to start the day, and I love getting outside to enjoy the changing seasons.
Family
This has been an unusual fall for our family. My son is in his senior year of college, my nephew got married on October 10, and my niece is getting married tomorrow!
My son flew home for my nephew's wedding because he was a groomsman, and now he's hitching a ride with my brother and his family to come home for my niece's wedding. Usually, I wouldn't see him until Christmas, so I'm SO excited that I get to see him twice in one month!
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Grief doesn't follow a schedule
Healing doesn't happen on a timeline
“Are you doing better?”
“How long has it been?”
“Have you gotten over it yet?”
“Isn’t it time to move on?”
“When will you be ready to date again?”
Maybe you've been asked some or all of these questions.
Maybe you've asked them of yourself.
When am I going to feel normal again?
Grief is long and hard. We want to be “better.” We want to feel normal again. And it's uncomfortable for other people to watch us hurt. Our friends and family want that for us too. They want to fix our sadness. They want “us” back.
But the truth is, you won't be the same person you were before your loss.
Losing your spouse will forever change you, and it takes time to navigate everything that comes with that loss.
I know that when I was asked some of these questions, it made me feel like I needed to be further along than I was. It felt like I wasn't grieving the right way because I was still so sad. I missed Jon terribly. It felt like I was failing because my grief was still so present.
I wanted to know when it was going to end.
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