In the Fall of 1956 Autumn Breeze danced with everything she encountered while waiting for the rain. The birds singing sounded much sweeter and the ground chase of the squirrels filled her with laughter. Her morning prayers had been said earlier and her talk with God was now providing her with joyful moments with nature.
The leaves crackled as she tossed hand fulls into the fire pit on this cool October morning.
Her long flowing hair swept the ground as she sat by the fire watching the swirling smoke drift with the wind current. The private fire of each glowing edged leaf provided her with incense as she studied the approaching storm clouds. The wind was starting to kick up and there was a temperature change. I should have brought a jacket out here she thought to herself. She got a little closer to the fire and twisted her hair into a quick bun. Throwing several huge handfuls of leaves into the fire created a large blaze giving her the warmth she was needing. The acorns from the mighty oak tree landed near and far from where she was standing.
Thunder,
Clap of lightning,
raindrops.
Time to go she says.
The rain came in a torrent bringing sheets of it clattering on the roof tin vents. Autumn listened to the pitter- patter of the rain drops on the kitchen vent while sipping on a cup of warm tea with honey. The scent of smoke lingered on her brown sweater and she drew her sleeve close to her nose to get a whiff of one of her most favorite smells. Almost as good as church incense she thought. She was certain the fire in the pit was out and the leaf piles might still be in place in the morning so she could complete her leaf burning chore.
The rain continued throughout the day and into the night.
Autumn heard the cry of her neighbor, Mrs. Waterson, while she was inspecting the storms damage from the day before. The cry of Mrs. Waterson sent Autumn to the adjoining fence that the neighbors shared with each other and soon discovered that the Waterson's cat, Spook, had died. Autumn loved the cat also and cried with Mrs. Waterson. Soon the retired Mr. Waterson came to the scene to comfort Mrs. Waterson and Autumn and they decided it was best to bury the cat right away.
The very old cat died alone by the side of the Waterson home of old age as far as the Waterson's could tell. The rain from the evening before had washed over the cat leaving it's fur just slightly dewed. The backyard burial memorial was conducted with Autumn in attendance that very morning with both Mr. and Mrs. Waterson . "I loved that cat dearly," said Mrs. Waterson.
"He was a handsome cat with very good manners," said Autumn.
"Rest in Peace Spook with the good Saint Francis," said Mr. Waterson.
They ended the burial ceremony with the prayer of Saint Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The rest of the morning was solemn after they parted ways.
Using two sturdy branches and fastening them together with grapevine Autumn made a cross to be placed at Spook's grave site. She brought it over to the Waterson's home and they invited her in for lunch.
They shared prayer together and agreed that the loss of a loved one is difficult and takes time to get over.
They also agreed that with prayer God will always ease the sadness.
Autumn returned to her own backyard discovering the arrival of a new set of leaves on the ground.
To everything there is a season.
