“And all at once,  
summer collapsed  
into fall.”
Oscar Wilde

If there is any such thing as a perfect day, today was it. It’s Sunday, October 1, 2023. The cool, crisp morning air gave way to a delightfully pleasant autumn afternoon. The sun was bright, the air was clear, and I had nothing in particular I had to do today. 

After attending the 10:00 Mass with Kathy at Mission Santa Clara this morning, I enjoyed a 45-minute stroll through our neighborhood. Along the way, I couldn’t help but notice and appreciate the changing colors of the trees on every block. A scattering of fallen leaves decorated front lawns, sidewalks, and streets. 

I spent a good portion of the afternoon watching the San Francisco 49ers improve their season record to 4-0. And to top it all off, with our front door and upstairs windows open since noon time, we’ve enjoyed a comfortable breeze passing through our home throughout the day. It doesn’t get much better than this.

I mention pretty much every year that autumn is my favorite season of the year. I used to think that November was my favorite month, but I’ve had a change of heart about this. While Thanksgiving Day is still my absolute favorite holiday of the year, I’ve gained a tremendous appreciation for the month of October. Days like today help me to realize what a blessing it is when October rolls around.