I can tell that's it coming.

The days are still brutally thick with warmth and water now, but I can feel the bold crispness in the wind as it whips in my rolled-down window after the afternoon rain. Summer will not let up without a fight.

The earth is tired. It has photosynthesized enough. In the golden drench of the evening, you can't help but empathize with the trees as they patiently await the sun to put away its suppressing whip-rays. They patiently await the moon to hold them still until the morning. In the morning they will slave again in the jungle heat.

Autumn is on its way. I know the earth will be relieved. The season of rest is coming. It will be time for the trees to relax. Their long sigh will end in rust colored leaves covering the ground, evidence that they fulfilled their task one more year. They can breathe now without the sun stealing their breath in a chemical reaction. I can rest with them, for I know the fall is time for rejuvenation. It's time for new things to unfold. It's time for things once hidden away in the shade to see the light, a light that is more timid yet bright.

The time is coming for people to linger outside a little longer, and not duck inside from fear of suffocating. It's time for our outfits to be comfortable indoors and out. It's time for the harvest to roll in, and for people's hard work to pay off. It's time for a deep breath of clean, cold air and a long drink of just-right coffee. It's time for people to soak up this feeling of everything’s gonna be alright. It's time for people to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This year of bad will end, and a year of good will begin sooner than later. It's time for people to stop trying to simply make it through this season. It’s easier to breathe now, and you can plan for the next season. It's time for children to go back to school, and Mom’s can take a minute for themselves. It's time for your commute to work to take a little longer, and maybe you will have a few more minutes to reflect on your life and be thankful. It’s time for college students to arrive in town and make Friday nights feel more alive. It’s time for college freshman to feel like their lives are finally starting. It’s time for us to decide if we can deal with this state of affairs for another winter. It’s time for change.

Change is inevitable. A lot of people don’t like it, but it’s always been there for me. It always shows up to push me along out of the wreckage. Fall embodies this close friend, Change. It’s a season of decisions, commitments, and resolutions. Even if you dread the coming winter because you hate being cold, try to enjoy this brief season of deep breathing, because the hot, hot summer will always come back around.