The television was blasted away in the family room

“LOVE FOR ALL SEASONS”

The television was blasting away in the family room. It was football season. John would be parked there for the rest of the day. The kids were in their rooms doing their homework. Jenny’s own chores nagged at her but she was not in the mood. She felt like she was suffocating. She just had to get away.

Without a word to anyone, she grabbed her jacket and flew out of the house. She headed towards the woods in the back of their house. The chill in the air felt good. Walking quickly, her cheeks grew numb.

She was tired and fed up with everything. Her work, the family, the whole damn scene.The hot and dry summer had finally ended. Hopefully, the family squabbles, that had been as numerous as the flies, would end too!

Walking through the familiar woods, she was oblivious to all of its beauty. What lies ahead now? She knew her husband would be called back to work soon. Thank God for that! The kids were back in school. The three of them would certainly have their share of problems too.

Notes were already coming home by the score! Money was needed for their many projects. There would be school supplies, field trips and numerous other things. Jenny let out a groan. They would be needing winter jackets and what if they had more snow than usual. They would all need boots, too. Thanksgiving was just around the corner. "I don't want to think about any of it!" She quickened her pace.

She had been working toward a depression for a week. It was that time of the year. Jenny couldn’t remember a fall without depression. God, will things ever be right again?

Taking a deep breath, she began to jog at a steady pace. Before long, she was running hard. Jenny wished she could keep on running until she fell off the edge of the earth.

Running faster, she was gasping for breath. She finally became exhausted and flopped down on to a bed of leaves. She shivered as a gust of cold air rested on her over-heated and clammy head. She leaned her head back against a tree trunk and closed her eyes. She breathed deep and thought of nothing in particular. When she finally opened them, she saw her surroundings as if it was the very first time.

The air was brisk and the leaves were brilliant in color! She looked around and imagined herself an artist. The sky became her huge canvas. It was there to paint any picture she wanted. If she had been painting, she would have never put her brushes down.

Her eyes swept the landscape, drinking in all the colors, afraid that they would soon disappear. She imagined herself mixing the yellows, oranges and reds on her palette. Her eyes surveyed the beauty of it all! She savored it as if it was a fine white wine.

Why hadn't she noticed this last Sunday, when the kids had finally coerced her into going out with them? They had put together a make-shift picnic and she had done nothing but complain. She felt so ashamed now. Not only did she owe the kids an apology, but to Mother Nature herself!
Though the sky were a gray-blue in color, it accentuated the yellow and scarlet trees surrounding the small lake near by. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the beauty that surrounded it. She blinked several times and caught her breath. It was so beautiful!

She inhaled deeply. She became aware of the scent of the trees and the earth that held them. The leaves had a musty, but sweet scent. Her nostrils flared as a gust of wind sent these now all too familiar scents back home to rest.

Memories of her childhood took hold. She remembered the burning of the fall leaves. You didn’t need a permit then. She and her brothers would run and jump into the huge piles. They would push and shove each other, their squeals of delight could be heard by everyone.

Jenny could almost hear them now, the memory was so vivid. Her parents would tell them to quit messing around, yelling "Hurry and get those leaves raked up!" Her parents would pretend to be irritated. Remembering them now, she smiled to herself.

Those times were joyful and they took the time to live them. Such simple pleasures! Where had all those lovely seasons gone? Was it just for children:

Feeling rested, a sense of wellness came over her.

Getting up, Jenny walked slowly and explored. She wanted it to last. The many paths and winding trails were a haven for all. Thinkers, writers, artists, nature enthusiests and lovers of all kinds. Discovering a new winding path when you least expected it.

She had left her watch at home and she didn't care what time it was! She didn't want her painting disturbed or her pleasure interrupted. She continued walking, taking in everything. The sights, the smells

By late afternoon, it seemed that all activity in the forest slowed its pace. The winds had become only whispers of breezes and the world grew still. She sat quietly watching the smaller residents of the forest. They were darting here and there. They needed to finish their many chores before dark. They were making their squirrel's nests, getting ready for their winter just ahead. They worked briskly, unaware of the outside world. Nothing interrupted their work and they certainly didn't whine about it. They were just doing "their thing."

Vague thoughts of her own chores lay almost dormant in her mind. In spite of not wanting to think, she did. She thought of her husband and how much she truly loved him. She thought of her children and how proud she was of them. They had tried so hard to please her and her husband.

Summer hadn't been easy on them, with no vacations planned or extra money to do things. She began to cry. When she wiped the tears away, her husband and children only haunted her more. Her heart ached for everything to be right, once more.

It was almost dusk, when she realized she had better start for home. They would be waiting for her. She had put a stew up in the crockpot earlier. Biscuits were prepared and ready to be put in the oven. The hot meal would be good tonight! She realized how hungry and thirsty she was. She hastened her steps.

Walking quickly, her mind seemed to clear. She laughed, remembering the apple pie in the freezer. A few weeks ago, the kids begged her to go and pick apples. Again, it was against her wishes, but she went along. Her family would like that pie tonight. They could even top it off with vanilla ice cream.

Coming closer to the house, she could see the lights twinkling through the trees. She could smell the aroma of her own cooking. She made her way across the back yard.

She heard the screen door slam as John rushed to meet her.

"We were beginning to get worried. Are you okay? His soft voice was anxious, barely a whisper.

She nodded and quickly threw her arms around him, squeezing him hard.

"Everything's cool. Hey? Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Then end…