Moments: Autumn has a way of putting things in perspective

The leaves have mostly turned now, and it seems they'll never stop falling.

Funny how more of them seem to pile up in our backyards versus our neighbor's.

But as we head into this week having celebrated Veterans Day and the many great men and women who have served and are serving, we look ahead to Thanksgiving followed not far behind by Christmas and the new year. And in doing so we wonder, where has the time gone?

Unfortunately we have seen more strife and unrest this past year than we seem to have had in others recently. Politics is as polarized as it ever has been, and people are perhaps more, or at least as upset, with the way the government is being run as they have been in decades past. Supporters of either party are looking as harshly internally as they are at the opposition, as well they should be. Our government is the one thing we should all be universally critical of. If not, we aren't doing our due diligence as citizens.

So, looking ahead to 2018 and what will likely be another contentious midterm election cycle, we doubt the public discourse will become any more polite in the near future.

Before all that plays out, though, let's take the remainder of this fall, and the approaching holiday season, to enjoy one another around the fire or at the dinner tables we will soon encircle. Family ought to come first for those lucky enough to have one. And a good, close-knit group of friends serves as a nice substitute when family can't be near.

Published in Editorials on November 13, 2017 10:26 PM