September and then some

September marks the beginning of the year. Well, for me, anyway. It has always felt this way for a couple reasons, not least of which, school has traditionally begun for me in September. But also, my birthday falls within the month (on the 15th.)

So this morning I heard on the radio weather report that it'll be a high of 69 degrees today (insert 69 joke here if you must) -- which is perfect Autumn weather. It's sunny and bright outside and cool and the air is fresh and crisp. It's time to remove the air conditioner from the window and let the autumn air enter my space unfettered.

I've always thought it funny that during a season where everything seems to die around me (leaves falling, flowers retreating) I would feel most alive and most freshly renewed. I've observed elsewhere, but I'll say again here that the contrast inherent in the visible presence of death could be what forces my mind to revel in my vitality. If my lifeline is a year of season beginning in Spring, I suppose I'm somewhere in summer.

And then of course there's September Eleventh. Worth of capitalization. Worthy of a presidential visit to the small island I inhabit. My friend Mary's birthday. Another sunny autumnal day. This year, the day a new iPod arrives in the mail. Five years ago, the day I ran incredulous to the platform on the elevated train to catch a glimpse of the towers in decline.

And so it goes.

This weekend I'll turn thirty-two. My brother will get married (I wrote him and his fiance a song.) My dear friend Eli will marry Jen. I'll read essays in the park.

Yep, and so it goes.