First Baptist Church of Herndon

Signs of Fall

Linda Soller | Oct 02, 2023

Fall is officially here, and I should have seen the signs like occasional cool nights, a fair amount of rain, hurricanes seeming to become more frequent, some trees changing their colors, and naturally leaves all over the deck. Yep, all these can be considered signs of fall if you live in northern Virginia.

When I was a child, I thought going back to school was a sign of fall. I always planned a first day outfit that was too warm for the early September weather. But, in my mind it was fall. Even in college I expected to return to campus and have it feel like fall. I went to college in Williamsburg, and it was usually November before it felt like fall. One of the very few things about my college experience which disappointed me.

As an adult, I started to feel like fall was the season of people passing. I had not noticed the timing so much when I was younger. Our church family had a difficult season of loss last year and this fall seems to be no different. I read somewhere that there are scientific reasons for this trend of a higher number of deaths in the fall. At this moment I can’t recall what those reasons were. What I do know if that it would be very easy in the midst of chilly air, rainy skies, and falling leaves to become very sad, maybe even depressed, when you learn of the loss of someone. It might be a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or a relative of a good friend. Regardless, it can be difficult to smile at times. In a church family that is loving and close as we are at FBC Herndon a loss of anyone touches everyone.   But it also makes us strong as we gather in support of each other. Change is part of life and God gives us each what we need to survive these trials.

Neither the start of the school year or death are true signs of fall.  Thank the Lord for that.

Be the love in the world  : )   Linda

Those who knew you and loved you will miss you greatly – Caroline and Joe.