Rush, rush, rush. I can feel my blood pressure rising as I attempt to get us all out the door in one piece. It's 7:27 a.m. "We should have left the house two minutes ago," I think to myself. I grab all of the bags (between my daughter, my son, and me, there are six) and laugh, thinking about the fact that each morning, it looks as though we are going on an extended vacation. Ready or not, here comes the day. I open the door and stop mid-stride. The crisp air hits my face as soon as I step outdoors, and I see last night's rain, still visible on my driveway. It has happened. Autumn has arrived while I was sleeping, unaware. I inhale deeply, breathing in all the loveliness of the first cool morning, and I smile as a little cloud follows my exhale.

her loss
is my gain-
the sugar maple