We went to Maine earlier this month, but the leaves are lovely here. The wind conducts a dance of leaves, signaling the end of one season and the beginning of another. We sip hot chocolate, wondering what is next. Pumpkins adorn the landscape. It is a time of slowing. A time of reflecting. A time for reassessment and renewal. Nature changes…we change…better is coming. We knew Better was coming when we were children. Each school year we understood that next year would be Better. University informed us on our first day that they were in the business of making us Better. Then there was marriage…we were Better. Then kids joined us and the joy of life made us Better. Finally, career and challenges physically and mentally sharpened our skills and honed our abilities. We were working for something and towards the great day of…Better.

Retirement brought delight. Was this the elusive Better that we had sought?

The golden years bring aches and pains. We look at the fallen leaves and consider them. We have searched for Better, for the Secret.