The Flip of the Calendar

Pumpkins, gourds, and autumn foliage have painted my recent days with warm hues of nostalgia. As my calendar turns from October to November, I find myself lost in memories of holidays past. The seasons, rich with the aroma of cinnamon-infused cider, the sight of flour-dusted bowls, the sound of wooden spoons in corn syrup and butter-smeared glass cups, brings back cherished family moments. This bittersweet nostalgia, a shared human experience, bridges the gap between our past and present, wrapping us in a blanket of memories and reassuring us that some comforts never change.

Holidays spent with loved ones now gone have been replaced with the tangible: Mom’s recipe of sage-sprinkled cornbread dressing, a carnival glass platter, and my mother-in-law’s famous pecan pie. Holiday gatherings are centered around relationships; whether healing or piercing, the longing becomes a psychological substitute for the physical.

As the days between the turkey and the ham unfold, I find my intentionality heightened. It’s not about doing less or giving more, but about infusing this special time of year with depth and meaning. It’s about creating cherished memories and establishing new traditions that will enrich those quintessential moments around the table or the tree. Intentionality, for me, means filling each day with purposeful words and deeds, weaving them into a legacy that I hope will inspire as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Let’s be moved to create our own intentional traditions that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love.

It’s more than the flip of the calendar or autumn’s colors that determines our seasons. All seasons come to us, not by chance but by God’s power, and we illustrate our faith by each encounter. A shallow life leaves details to fate; yet, when we walk our life deliberately, our legacy has God-given potential. His handiwork in seasons past reveals his consistent character, providing hope for the seasons yet to come. So, I must consider the legacy I will leave. And in that legacy, am I defining my faith and making life choices reflecting those values? Let’s take comfort in the fact that our faith can guide us in making life choices that reflect our values and beliefs.

What we choose to do with our gift of days matters. May God help me use my days wisely with each calendar flip.