Tilikum Crossing, Willamette River, Portland, OR
I am excited! The sun is still shining in Portland and the first day of Fall was last week. That means now it is officially Indian Summer. Every Fall, when the sun is still shining after Labor Day I say how I love an Indian Summer; someone usually reminds me that Indian Summer does not happen until after Fall is official.
One advantage of Indian Summer, other than extending the light of sunshine in our lives, is that I am wanting to be outside more. On the weekend, we walked across a new bridge here in Portland. The bridge, Tilikum Crossing, is called the “peoples’ bridge” because it was built especially for bicyclists, walkers, and pulic transportation – buses, street cars, and light rail. No automobiles are allowed. Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and the bridge was crowded with walkers and bicyclists. At the Eastern end there was a neighborhood festival, encouraging the participation of bicyclers and walkers by closing the surrounding streets to traffic. Many Portlanders enjoyed the gorgeous Indian Summer day. For a moment I stood at the middle and noticed the beauty of the Willamette River and Mt. Hood to the East. I think of these moments as being deposits into the “memory-bank of lightness and joy”, moments to remember in the grey of winter.
Often during this gorgeous Indian Summer, I pause and become more aware of what is happening in each moment; I am more and more conscious of how profoundly I am affected by the light and sunshine. The sun feels good and I revel in the moment, savoring lightness and light;I keep hoping these feelings can be conjured back when the rains come. Perhaps I will only need to go to the “memory bank of lightness and joy”.
Still I pause again, let my breath return, smile, and am thankful for NOW! How about you?