AT HOPE & MAIN: CHANGING SEASONS REFLECT CHANGES IN LIFE

Here in Southeast Missouri where spring comes a little sooner and the winters are a little less gloomy than what I'm accustomed to, the telltale signs of autumn are upon us. Oh, worshippers of the sun, face it, summer has had its day. You may be in denial, but leaves have started to appear on the ground where there once were none.

The subtle change of season has been confirmed this week when too many signs have manifested themselves and placed me in that other state of mind ... preparing for my favorite season.

I was walking the ole dog when to my surprise I heard that non-threatening, soft pounding sound of school age athlete's feet on the pavement. I quickly pulled Hannah closer so she wouldn't chase or scare those cross country trainers on Greensferry. Although she certainly noticed the passers-by, Hannah had no inclination to go after these non-threatening runners Perhaps because she was so outnumbered. At any rate, I crossed the street so she wouldn't interrupt their jog up the difficult incline. It would be cruel for them to have to stop when they'd almost accomplished the hardest part of their journey.

The hope that the oppressive days of summer are almost history gives me the motivation to make the most of these last days. Knowing that the pool will be closed in less than a month makes me a little sad because when I want to cool off and relax, that luxury won't be available anymore. Instead of ambivalently taking my son to the pool, I approach it with almost the same feelings of anticipation when the season just began. I begin to appreciate what is almost past.

Since registration for school occurred this week, another telltale sign of fall has become obvious. Not to cash in on the Staples commercial, but, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Knowing that the kids will be unbored, keeping out of trouble, associating with their peers in a safe environment and the real bonus ... learning, couldn't make me a happier woman.

When that bus comes a rollin' on up the street, I will again breathe a sigh of relief. Although I'm away from my kids almost the same amount of time in a day now, as I will be when they start school, I'll miss them. It will make me think of the innocence of their childhood, almost past. From a distance it is always easier to appreciate the present, knowing it is almost past. School days are always bittersweet, even after the first days of kindergarten have passed.

How is it that the change of seasons can affect so strongly the way you look at things? It's like a new chance, starting from a clean slate.

There are some people who live in areas without apparent change of season.