Now that the weather is officially cooling down, I've been reading a lot of blogs and twitter updates about how people just *love* autumn. So, I thought, in the interest of balancing out all of the euphoria, I'd write a post about the fact that I do NOT like the Fall season. Not one little bit. While everyone else is celebrating harvest season, I'm mourning the loss of summertime.
I don't think it's any secret to O2BNAZ readers or my friends that I don't enjoy the fall or winter months. I don't like being cold; don't like the leaves falling off the trees; don't like pointless parties; don't like pumpkin carving or Halloween costumes; don't like dreary gray skies for weeks on end; don't like the stress of the holidays; don't like my birthday being on Thanksgiving; don't like having a brown lawn; don't like Christmas shopping; don't like hot apple cider; don't like putting up decorations, or taking them down; don't like wrapping gifts; don't like daylight savings ending; shall I go on?
(I could, you know... it is MY blog!)
From October through February or March, I'm generally not a very happy girl. Every year, I try to muster up some enthusiasm, but I just can't bring myself to get excited at the prospect of the changing season. Of course I survive, but not usually without some kind of emotional breakdown. I try my best not to complain too much - I don't want to be known as a Grinch, or a Scrooge, but I'm pretty sure I don't hide my contempt very well, either. I really do try to make the holidays fun for my kids, but on the inside, I'm hating every minute of it. I know as a Christian that Christmastime should be a very special time to celebrate Jesus' birth. (But may I remind you that He was really probably born in the SPRINGTIME? Like April!)
What's all this negativity about, you ask? I don't know, but I've definitely felt it much more intensely since we moved to Georgia. It may have something to do with the fact that fall and winter are much colder here than in Arizona. It just doesn't feel like "home" when it's so cold. Also, we moved to Atlanta in the fall of 2005, and we didn't know anyone. I felt so lonely and lost all the time. Maybe it's because I'm too busy to really enjoy the holidays - I think all they do is add more things to our schedule and my to-do list. It could also be because my mom was diagnosed with her cancer on Halloween 2005, and she passed away in February 2007, and I subconsciously connect the fall and winter months with my grief. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that we're so far away from family during the holidays that it makes them harder to enjoy. Whatever the reason, fall has barely begun and I'm already longing for spring. I just want to feel the warmth of the sun again.
So...am I the only one, or is there anyone else out there who feels the same way I do? Can any of you fall-lovers help me understand what's so great about the holiday season?
5 comments:
you poor girl! there's gotta be a way to make this time of year tolerable for you!
fall makes me homesick every year...weird. i start missing being a kid in illinois and the amazing colors and the feel of fall. maybe that's why so many of us love fall...in other parts of the country (north-ish parts ;) it's kind of nostalgic. sorry you aren't enjoying the fall, missy.
I love it but I guess that's because I always have. Something about it seems so magical if you ask me. I'm in AZ though and don't know how I would feel if I had been moved away to some other state or country! I'm sure I might not have the best feelings towards it either. Hang in there... you need some cheering up!
Oh Kelley, Kelley, Kelley. Could two people have any more opposite opinions about the seasons than you and I?
I'll start, though, with something we have in common - I despise Halloween. Don't like the creepiness, don't like kids begging for candy, yuck, yuck, yuck. If our church didn't do a "Fall Fest," we'd probably take our kids to the movie on that night and ignore the whole thing.
Other than that, I LOVE fall! Winter's good too, although a cold wind can just crumble my bones. I love the 40-60 degree weather, because HOT and I aren't really compatible.
And Christmas? Be still my heart. Love the lights, love the decorations, love the music and the older I get, the earlier I start. I began looking for Christmas music on the radio on November 1 this year.
I'd love to convert you, but if not we can just agree to disagree. :>)
Stopped by to see if you were out of the Fall Funk yet? How are things going?
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