Falling and catching

Kenneth Cole had a seasonal slogan ten years ago that I still remember seeing in the store window at the mall. "Fall: it's catching".

Fall was comforting my first year here. I had only been in my apartment a few months and was seriously struggling in every aspect of my life. The cool weather was a welcome change. Fall has always symbolized new beginnings to me and despite having graduated and getting a job and moving to New York, I still felt as though I was searching for mine. I remember being snuggled up in my studio, a cinnamon scented candle burning on my coffee table and writing down, "it is a crime not to be sharing all of this with someone."

Fast forward five years. It's October in New York again. I'm enjoying my twice weekly pumpkin spice latte. I ordered a new Autumn Wreath Yankee Candle and got a new J. Crew cashmere cardigan. I'll be wearing it sooner than I thought - very cool temps predicted for this week! 

New beginnings are all around me. Some have already happened, some are on the brink, and some I am reaching for, arms outstretched, but confident they will catch up with me when the time is right. Everything is crisp. The air, the leaves, the apples and my attitude. I just know big things are about to happen.

I am reminded of that fall now - how alone and scared I felt. It seems so very long ago. Now, I'm looking to the future. As I type, a pumpkin cupcake scented candle given to me by a very special someone is burning on my coffee table. And snuggled up in my studio, I think about how happy I am to have so many amazing people all around me to celebrate the season with. Bring it on. What a difference five years makes.