My granddaughter L was collecting red maple leaves on our walk through the neighborhood Sunday morning after she’d spent the night with us. I loved watching her run ahead, searching for a fallen leaf more perfect and redder than the last one. I can’t believe it’s already fall. September 29th will be my eldest son’s 36th birthday. It’s been almost four years since he’s been gone.

When L and I walked Clementine through Mount Avon Cemetery, we spotted the resident deer. We stood very still and the deer walked across the drive, showing no fear but watching us intently, only 25 feet away. L was awed. 

After our walk, we went inside and folded paper into animals. I’d never made origami before, but L helped me make an origami square base, and I figured out how to make a a bird base. We created a snakes, rabbits, frogs, birds, butterflies and a fox. We tried folding a dragon, but it was complicated. We agreed to try again later.

Later, her brother, OB, age 2, joined us. OB shouts “Nana” with pure delight whenever he sees me. That afternoon he gave me an unsolicited kiss. It made my heart soar.

Autumn would be a sad season if not for reminders that life goes on, beautiful things still cross my path, and I can learn new skills, even if it’s folding tiny squares of glossy paper into critters.  And kisses still melt hearts.

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In the Context of Love: a new contemporary fiction about love, lust, and family secrets.

Angelica Schirrick had always suspected there was something deeply disturbing about her family, but the truth was more than she bargained for.