This is my favorite time of year.  Before the snow of winter.  After the intense humid heat of the summer.

When I was a child, it was special because it was my birthday month and because of Halloween.

When my children were small, it was special because it was a chance to walk with them down shady streets to collect colorful leaves, pinecones, and acorns.  Treasures all.

Now October means shutting off the air conditioner and opening the windows wide as I sit at my computer and write.  It means taking walks on the dirt roads of the Catskills with my husband and cozy nights by the hearth of our fireplace.

This October, I turn 60.  I don’t know what 60 is for me yet.  I don’t know how to feel about it.  It doesn’t seem possible that I am turning 60.  I never imagined myself at this age.  October leads to November and November to December.  The last quarter of the year, the last quarter of my life.

I suppose it is inevitable, so all I can do is embrace it, and make sure I take the time to notice the treasures that are scattered along the way.

Theresa Dodaro is the author of The Tin Box Trilogy and The Porcelain Doll  (www.theresadodaro.com) #thetinboxtrilogy #theresadodaro #theporcelaindoll #blogging