The Old Man noticed on his Walk Through the Woods that the leaves were changing. September is getting closer. When I got into the Subaru to drive home, the thermometer said 110. Arizona weather. We are searching for the oasis in the desert. We have not had to break any cactus open yet.

The University begins classes on Monday. The Halloween store is open in the mall. Change is afoot. Mylo feels it and barks at it in the wee hours of the morning. MJ is watching the Cubs and the Phillies. She is a baseball aficionado. Home is a solace in troubled times. Health is vital and fleeting. We think of it like the Sun coming up in the morning. Sometimes it does not come up. We visit with each other, not realizing we are seeing God in the eyes of the person we visit. Our eyes tell the story of our walk back to Jerusalem. The world can be seen in a person’s eyes.

‘Move along, miss, you are an eyesore and a detraction to the beauty of the city,’ the officer said. ‘We are under orders to clean up the streets and provide a scenic atmosphere to all the tourists,’ the Officer continued. ‘I realize you have nowhere to go, that you are homeless, but the government says that your problem of shelter is not their problem,’ the Officer said with tears in his eyes.

Holidays are coming. The ‘Ber’ months will be here in two weeks. My time of year! My favorite third of the year. We seek the Peacemakers. Those who will speak peace to troubled minds. People who work for unity and solidarity rather than division over petty cultural differences. Christmas is coming, and it is not too early to say it. The Prince of Peace was born in a nondescript barn surrounded by animals. The leaders of the day knew nothing of his arrival. The rich of the day continued to count their money and rejoice that they were not poor. Some Wisemen and Shepherds knew. The oxen and lambs knew. The Star of Bethlehem knew. So it goes. The Peacemakers are on their way and indeed are here now. Look for the Peacmakers. Listen to what they say. The winds of change are blowing, and the leaves are changing.