11/03/2025
Radical Gratitude Day 3
A Beautiful Fall Day
This weekend was glorious, a perfect fall weekend.
Every year I try my best to appreciate the fall. The way the leaves turn from green to radian oranges, reds, and gold to burnt orange, brown and eventually fall.
Every year I tell myself that I will be present and not dread what is to come, and every year I fail. The impending winter always wins. The cold seeps into my bones and that old familiar feeling settles in.
Last year was different. I experienced the seasons through the lens of it being the last, as it was for my father.
I would send him photos and videos of anything beautiful I witnessed.
One incredible snowstorm in February took my breath away. Wet, heavy, gigantic snowflakes were coming down fast, blanketing everything. I called my parents and said you have to get out and see this storm, it is magical. My father got on the phone and said “Tania, I know you think I need to see one more snow, but I have seen countless beautiful snowstorms, I am at peace.” He heard my disappointment and said “why don’t we FaceTime instead”. So I bundled up and went out into the dark and took a walk with him. It was eerily quiet, we didn’t need to speak and it felt as if he was by my side holding my hand. I was with him for his last snowstorm.
We don’t live our lives as if anything could be our last, we take time for granted. It was a gift to know that time was finite, it allowed me to appreciate everything.
So Daddy, this year I will try my best to be in the moment and appreciate the seasons. (Even the winter)