The first yellow leaves are beginning to dot the green lawn here and there and, just to show

[Atticus]

you how strange I am, they remind me of the schoolmates, roommates and friends who were among the first to fall from life's tree.

Some died very early; a couple in Viet Nam, one while changing a flat along the interstate and one was murdered. Then, as the world kept spinning, others fell to traffic accidents, interrupted burglars and a variety of maladies from cancers to heart attacks to strokes.

And, I am left to wonder "Why them and not me?"

In the October of my life, I know that my personal "killing frost" lies ahead but I do not know if I will soon flutter to the ground like the maple's leaves or if I will stubbornly hang on into late winter like the dessicated brown leaves of the live oaks.

At this stage of life, the seasons take on new meaning and, however glorious was our spring, however productive and rewarding was our summer, however satisfied was our autumn, we are left to hope that we can meet our winter with dignity and courage.

Meanwhile, let's enjoy this September.

[niyad]

1. That was beautiful. I keep telling my friends that they are not allowed to

leave, as I do not want to hang around by myself. I have every intention of outliving the current insanity, for spite.

[3catwoman3]

2. Very poetic and evocative.

An aside - We lived in the upper peninsula of Michigan for almost 4 years. By now, the leaves on the trees, which don't come out until June, would already be turning red and getting ready to fall.