Autumn is here!

This Friday all has officially arrived and it’s a season I welcome with its cooler nights, warmer clothes and changing colors. With it comes the sound of cheering football crowds, the smell of fireplaces burning out the dust of summer, and the sorting of recipes and decorations for the holidays. Even though Christmas is months away, the gift giving has already begun with zucchini and ears of corn showing up on our doorsteps.

Although the season should be a time of family and togetherness, that’s not the case for many. Instead, it can be a time that magnifies loneliness, a lack of income and highlight family stressors. One way to overcome a lot of that is to serve others. It helps us to put our own lives in perspective by serving those less fortunate and I’m willing to bet there’s plenty of organizations in your community that would be happy to connect you with a volunteer opportunity. But if not, sometimes just a kind word, a batch of cookies or a compliment is all it takes to make someone feel seen and appreciated. It’s also a good time to check with your friends and neighbors to make sure they have what they need for the coming months such as wood and other heating supplies. Or perhaps they have what they need but could use a hand bringing it in from the outdoors.