2000-09-20 - 10:00 MDT

September 20, 2000

Breath Of Boreas

The Aspen have colored early this year, today in Denver it is raining and top temperatures are projected to be in the mid sixties. Quite a difference from the temperatures we have been experiencing.

This old man here, draws his shawl closer about his shoulders in dread of the the coming winter. Too early maybe ? Shoot, we just got the Christmas stuff put away and here it is almost time to drag the evergreen out of its box again.

Ahead of us yet are the invigorating, crisp, bright days of Fall. Yet to come are the crackling piles of fallen leaves covering the sward. Soon to come is the season for hunting and cameraderie around the campfire. Thanksgiving and other fall holidays and the associated good food and sweet treats are near.

But right here, right now, the icy tentacles of winter wiggle a bit. We are gradually becoming acclimated to the falling temperatures and await this flimsy white stuff called for lack of better terminology, "snow," the companion to 'sno fun shoveling walks.

Then the cloudy, grim, icy days of winter, cheery Christmas family gatherings, "Over the hills and through the woods to grandmothers house we go," accompanied by the tinkle of "Jingle Bells."

Each closing of the year reminds us again that we are mortal and like the leaves we must fall some day. It gives some very bright and precious spots along the way to let us be happy and truly joyous before the funeral ceremony of the dead year comes.

I don't dread death, it comes to us all in time. I have had a full life, and a happy one -- but the existential fact is that every growing thing eventually ceases to be -- as shall I. What is winter but the burial of living things ? Soon to sprout with spring and grow into adults are the children and grandchildren we made possible. Our lives I think go on in them. I also think we are not dead as long as we are remembered with fondness and love.

Skiing, ice skating and other winter sports I have enjoyed in the ago, pass in pleasant, mental review and memories of seeing the snow fall while looking out the window of a cosy mountain cabin warmed by wood fire in the fireplace at our backs, into the forest -- a scene we have all seen many times depicted on greeting cards -- is a feeling hard to describe to a jungleer.

Oh yes, we humans have been given and have found ways to have fun and pleasure during the part of the year where holds sway the breath of - Boreas.

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