“The autumn leaves drift by my window. The autumn leaves of red and gold.” Well, unless the palm trees change, there aren’t any autumn leaves drifting outside my window. Living on the coast, you rarely see the changing of seasons. As much as I love living here, it is something I do miss. I grew up with the heat of summer, the sweater weather of fall, the snows of winter and the nudge into the blooming of flowers in spring. Although there is something to love with every season, fall is my favorite.
I am not alone in this as our daughters love autumn, as well. Our youngest started decorating her home for the season, mainly with Halloween in mind, the first week of September. Although I didn’t start quite that early, I must admit I did start adding seasonal decor before summer officially ended. Call me crazy, but those touches make me feel cooler even though the temperature may read 85 degrees.
So, besides Halloween, what does October hold for our seven fabulous grandchildren? For starters, our granddaughter, Gray, became a teenager. She is beautiful, kind, smart and multitalented. I hope this year in middle school will go as well for her as her first year did.
Our eldest grandson, Jack, is a freshman in high school. This is a new experience for him as he attended the same school from kindergarten through eighth grade. He is already on the soccer team and has scored in every game. He gets to ride to school with his sister, and their bond has become even stronger as he goes to her for advice on what to expect of certain teachers and classes. I have no doubt that he will do well in academics as well as sports.
Jack’s sister, Ella, is our eldest grandchild. I have had a hard time realizing that she is in her senior year. She spent a lot of time in the spring visiting a number of colleges. She is an outstanding student, very well rounded in all areas and will be an asset to whichever college she chooses to attend. Her mom is already having separation pangs but is excited knowing how special this time is in Ella’s life.
Our other grandchildren, three grandsons and one granddaughter, all returned to the schools they have attended since pre-kindergarten or kindergarten. The eldest of the four is my grandson, Hudson, who is now in middle school and no longer has a sibling in the school. He has adjusted well to all that middle school holds. His sister and brother can help him if he has questions about what to expect as the year progresses.
Our grandson, Smith, and granddaughter, Avery, are both in fourth grade but at different schools. They are both well adjusted to their schools and, although some of their friends ended up in a different class, they still see them at lunch and recess.
This leaves our youngest grandson, who is also our youngest grandchild, Hugh. Hugh is in first grade in the same school as his sister, Avery. He, like his sister and cousins, is smart, kind, talented and well adjusted. He is also quite knowledgeable about several types of bugs and a number of fish.
We are so blessed to have four of the seven grands very close by and the other three just in Charlotte. It is rare that we can’t help out when called upon. I, for one, love that one-on-one time, whether it’s getting them someplace or just hanging out with them. I hope they’ll all grow up knowing how special they are and how much their Gigi and Pabo love them.
