We haven't had a frost yet in most of Minnesota. The temperatures are breaking records—high 80s on Friday, 70s this week. The Mississippi River running through Minneapolis is high from fall flooding. At St. Anthony Falls, the river thunders.
Maples ignite in royal gold, red, and orange. Birch and elm turn deep yellow, sumac red. I love the little trees called burning bush, orange-red. This year, all their glory is extended.
Our family marks losses in October—my grandfather, John Marty, on October 8, 1959, at age 67; my maternal grandmother, Victoria Anderson, on October 6, 1977, at age 74; and my dad on October 17, 2005, at age 68. Twenty years before my dad was even born, my great-grandfather, Jacob Marty, died on October 5, 1918, at age 63.
I mark gifts, as well. The reaper came for Uncle Gaylon on October 1, 1991, but an angel intervened. My best friend from childhood was born on October 4, so we have always celebrated her birthday at the golden peak of the season. A niece was born near the end of the month.
It's a season of light as the hours of daylight diminish. The light makes me lift up my head to all that gold under the sky, under the cloud of witnesses.
Maple on 15th and Adams Street N.E., Minneapolis, October 6, 2010. Digital image. Photo by Gayla Marty.
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