“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” – Joe L. Wheeler

As seasons change, they color our mood and perspective on life. With winter’s chill and short days of light, we retreat in our homes seeking comfort within.  Springtime spurts new life in nature and opportunities for us.  Summer is packed with vacations and celebrations from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  But ahhh … Autumn’s sunset colored leaves scattered everywhere shifts us from warm Indian Summers with pink strewn cloudy skies to crisp mornings and cozy nights, sipping hot apple cider, and kicking off the Holiday season.

Fall’s intensity ignites all of our senses. Nostalgia lingers in the air bringing a need to gather with family, connect with traditions, and reminisce about the past.  That’s exactly what inspired a trip in September to visit my sister and family in England.  Renting a home on a lake in the lovely countryside of the Cotswolds, preparing meals together, hiking through long fields surrounded by water and wildlife, sharing memories and special moments became the first heart touching stop on my nostalgic journey.

Two weeks later, I returned to my roots in New Jersey to visit family and friends. Instead of the usual whirlwind tour of seeing everyone, I made a point of spending quality time with each person.  We dined and danced, wandered around town, ran in the rain, laughed about old times, all while making new memories.

Nostalgia helps us maintain a sense of who we are and where we’ve been. Reflecting on the past plays an important role in revealing where we want to be in the future.  Fall is a time to slow down and savor sensations of the season.