October

The days are shorter than last month and in the mornings I wake up in coolness, my overhead fan circulating the night breeze that snuck in between wooden shades & light curtains. Soon it will be time to change my bedspread, to air out the soft down comforter, to let things breathe. Cotton shorts are exchanged for drawstring sweats and sometimes I fall asleep wearing fuzzy socks even though I will tell you this is not possible.

And it has been months since I have fallen into such a routine and sense of normalcy. And, oh, how I have looked forward to these shorter days, the quiet nights, the half-hearted conversations that end just as easily and quickly as they had begun.

"This too, is a gift."