Seasons. They come and go on the calendar and in stages of our lives. Friday, September 22, 2017, was the first day of the season of fall for this year. Here in the Los Angeles area, we had cooler weather and a day filled with big, puffy, white clouds, not typically our sky. The weather made for a delightful first day of fall, even though the palm trees are misleading.

Puffy clouds like this are rare in the Southern California sky.

First day of fall in Southern California 2017

Many of us love fall. I know I do. Perhaps you do as well. There is so much to love about fall. What are you favorite parts of the season?

• Shorter days
• Cooler weather
• Cozy evenings at home
• Spectacular sunsets
• Pumpkin everything
• The outdoor smell of fireplaces in use
• Changing color of leaves, depending where you live
• A cup of steamy, hot tea in your favorite flavor
• Baking with apples and cinnamon
• Favorite TV shows starting a new season
• The burst of bright mums in gardens
• Soups on the stove
• Football season
• Frosty mornings
• Oktoberfests
• Homecomings
• Trick-or-treating and jack-o-lanterns
• Drinking cider, hot, cold, spiced, or spiked
• Kids coming home from college
• Thanksgiving
• Curling up with a comfy blanket or quilt
• Getting out your sweaters, jackets, and scarves
• Elections (Ha! Does anyone really look forward to this part of fall?)
• Decorating for fall
• Walking in crunchy leaves
• And maybe even Hallmark movies

What did I forget? Are your favorite things on the list?

I went to my local Michael’s craft store to check out the fall displays. I wandered around and took a few photos of fall decorations to contribute to my first day of fall good mood. I didn’t buy anything. I’ve actually grown weary of owning and storing more stuff. Yet, it was still fun to see it all.

Pumpkins

Mums

Flowers

Garlands

Some seasons in life are so beautiful. Some seasons are difficult and challenging. And that’s where seasons demand sisterhood.

Here is the definition of sisterhood, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

“the solidarity of women based on shared conditions, experiences, or concerns.”

When we go through a tough season of life, it is wonderful to have sisters, our friends in the frenzy, who are there to sort through reality, share a cup of coffee, and talk about life together with us. My husband is a great partner in life, and a good listener and confident. Yet I also need trusted friends for support and understanding. I could not get through some situations without my good friends, sisters in experiences and concerns. I don’t have any sisters here on earth, so I really appreciate good friends.

This year, on the first day of fall, a wise friend joined me for mid-morning coffee.

We talked and laughed and solved problems. These times with friends are important and highly valued. The sweet conversation lasted until the demands of the day called us elsewhere, just as my latte emptied to the bottom of the mug.

The conversations like this with good friends keep the heart centered and that feeling of connection strong. I am so thankful for sisters in the seasons of life.

Happy fall, friends! And stay charming!