It’s that time of year, when things start to change,
When the leaves start to fall and the winds rearrange.
It gets colder outside and the days become shorter,
It’s the end of the year, the last, final quarter.

It gets darker each day as the sun sets down early,
Which can change up our mood, and we start to get surly.
And we know that the snow could come all the sudden,
Changing us into a mopey curmudgeon.

But this isn’t a time to be spiteful or hateful,
The goal is instead: be delightful and grateful,
For the things that you have, and for some things you don’t,
Life will give you great treasures, but then sometimes it won’t.

There are times you’ll be happy, and times when your not,
But be thankful you’ve for all of the feelings you’ve got.
It’s okay to be mad, it’s ok to be grumpy,
Especially when roads get a little bit bumpy.

Because things can change fast, and we’re rarely prepared,
For the things that jump out and make us feel scared,
But rather than dwell on the things we don’t know,
Take a moment today, don’t let it just go.

A moment to cherish the love in your life,
From your parents, or cousins, your partner or wife,
Or whatever the shape that your family takes,
There’s simply no mold that its love couldn’t break.

Take a moment for friends that you had growing up,
A moment for something that fills up your cup.
Think of the times that have brought you most joy,
Like perhaps your most memorable childhood toy.

Take a moment to write all these thoughts to yourself,
Then tuck them away in a book on the shelf-
So that next time you question the thoughts in your brain
You can open them up and read them again.

Take a moment today with some really good friends,
And talk of beginnings, don’t focus on ends.
Spend time making jokes, be silly and laugh,
Laughing can help cut your worries in half.

Not to say they aren’t valid or aren’t really there
But worries are just like an old rocking chair:
You can rock back and forth, as something to do,
But for all of that rocking, you simply won’t move.

After all of these moments of careful reflection,
You should pick up the phone, or a texting invention,
To tell all these people your wonderful thoughts,
About how they have helped shape the life that you’ve got.

Because yes you’ll get sick, and yes you’ll have troubles
But you’re not defined by these trials and struggles.
There are much greater things that jump up in the ranks,
And for all of those things you can offer your thanks.

However you’re spending this weekend in fall,
Take a look all around and take stock of it all,
And let people know, as you sit at the table,
How much they all mean, and for how you are grateful.