Autumn's Arrival

He walks over to the red wagon sitting on our porch. Grabbing the little blue rake, he insists on taking care of the leaves.
"I'll help you." he says. "You got a lot of leaves".
Our next door neighbor often comes to play with Mo and Maeve. Only six years,  but in their eyes, an expert. The pride visible in his eyes as the parade follows.
Mo first, accomplished on the art of stair climbing she asks him of his intentions as she follows close behind.
Maeve reaches her hand to me. The stairs still a daunting task to her nearly two year frame.

Step, Step, Step, then hop.

Reaching the final step, her hand escapes mine, as she runs to meet the others.

He works intensely. His inexperience with the rake evident by the lack of piles. The leaves looking no different then when he began. They stand, watching.
 In a moment,  inspiration overcomes me.
"Watch the girls for a moment" I ask. "I need to go get something."
Grabbing the keys, I begin down the drive, to the garage. Unlocking the door, I find it easily. Balanced against the wall, the silver rake sits. Hibernating through the year, now with autumn's arrival, the rake is alive again, a tool of necessity.
Walking up the path, I hear the familiar voice before I see her
"What you doing mama? Whatcha got in your hands?" she asks.
Her blue eyes look up inquisitively.
"I'm going to rake the leaves." I explain.
Her giggle overtakes her body as she explains, "You no rake! That's daddy!"

Today, it is my turn. 

Red, yellow, and orange overtake the green of the grass, as the weight of the rake falls into my hands.
The small, blue rake has been abandoned. Bodies race by in a whirl of laughter and shouts, as my own rake begins it's task. Creating small piles, the green is revealed again, occasional leaves fly by.
The pile emerges slowly. Quietly, they assess the scene.
Without reservation, they jump. Their smile and laughter fills the air.
I abandon the rake and join them.



Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

For you, what does autumn evoke?
Show us in 300 words or less