Summer’s gone

Fall has officially begun. Fall is my favorite season. This time of year normally means it’s time for BFA to start – but not for me any more. The change of season reminds me of the change in my own life season.

The summer’s gone, and all the flow’rs are falling
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow

You might recognize that snippet from Danny Boy. The words echo my own feelings as other BFA staff members have left the US to return to Germany. It’s their turn to go and mine to stay. It is true, though, that they will come back for summer break, or at Christmas time when the valley is hushed and white with snow. As I see stories popping up on Facebook and BFA staff members’ blogs, I miss them, and I miss doing life with them in the little valley of Kandern.

At the same time, I have been experiencing intense feelings of joy about being in the Midwest again for this Fall season. The air smells different in every location, and there’s something about the crisp, dry Fall air in Illinois that I have missed! I have missed raking leaves, lying in the cool grass in the yard, and watching squirrels collect their store of nuts (and other odd things). I have missed seeing yellow school busses, my dog sleeping in the sun, and family dinners on Sundays after church.

The summer memories of seeing BFA people are fading. Reflecting back, I realized that I have been blessed to see BFA people in every state I visited. I’ve seen my BFA friends in Wheaton & West Chicago IL, Minneapolis MN, Denver CO, Louisville KY, New Albany IN, and Seattle WA. Travel has tired me out. I’m ready to settle down and stay here in Illinois (and Minnesota!!!)

Juggling multiple jobs and taking trips to Minnesota mean I’ll always be busy, but I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow to greet any BFA person that comes my way.