Autumnal and Grandmotherly Hugs

Autumn

The autumnal equinox moved into our week and officially changed the season. Fall couldn’t sneak up on us if it wanted to. Autumn-themed posts and products have been dancing like impatient tykes for our attention since the beginning of August, if not before. I don’t mind, but I do like to ease into the season in my own way.

I love this time of year now, but I was slow to embrace it. Like so many kids, I wanted summer to last forever. Now, as an adult living in the desert, I clutch the promise of Autumn’s respite from the heat and cooler mornings. Yes, I am mesmerized by the love and enchantment of pumpkin.

My friend Tanya Guinness, an author, drummer, and Queen (the band) enthusiast, lives outside Sidney, Australia, and can be found posting spring images on social media (@tanya.guinness).

Meanwhile, here in the earth’s northern hemisphere, Autumn marks the end of harvest. Many believe this an ideal the time to let go of stuff, plow our fields under, and prepare for the coming introspection of winter. But first, we celebrate! We celebrate with Harvest festivals, Samhain, Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos, All Saints’ Day, Thanksgiving, and more. Like pumpkins.

Grandmothers

This year the season’s wooing came early with consistent thoughts and reminders of my grandmothers. Memories of their loving acts, wisdom shared, and foods they prepared were closely followed by sensations of being hugged first by one and then another. I’ve been blessed to have more than two.

Grandma Jeanette’s loving hug said, “Hi, honey. You made it! I’m glad you’re here. I know it was a long trip.” As the aroma of blackberry cobbler enveloped us, she’d hug me again and whisper, “I made your favorite, Tanya.”

Grandma Nora, my mom’s mom, hugged me like she wanted to take away all the hurts I ever had. (Aunt Nancy hugs the exact same way.) She’d enlist me for special missions, like cracking open black walnuts alongside her. I felt special since she could have asked one of so very (no exaggeration), very many of my cousins. I inherited a lot from Grandma, including the gift of writing.

Dad’s mom, Grandma Mary, a real-life Rosie the Riveter, nurse, and entrepreneur, took me in as a young teenager—bless her heart (that couldn’t have been easy!). If I’d had a fraction of my clarity and awareness as a girl and young woman, I’d thank her for saving Mom’s life during my birth. I would ask her how she had the courage to accomplish what she had in her life.

Great-aunt Georgie, an earth angel, treated me as her own granddaughter. She held me, wiped my tears and listened to my tales of teenage woe, taught me life stuff, and things like yoga moves I still use today. And, in case you didn’t already know, she lent her name for Andersen Light’s character Georgie Jones.

Mrs. Jacobs kept me under her roof for a brief time when her hands were already full and overflowing. The love of Scrabble is among the gifts she gave me.

Grandmothers, I wish I’d told you all how amazing you are and hugged you more. Thank you for your ethereal visits. I love you dearly.

Adventures

The Andersen Light: A Meta-Normal Novel takes place this time of year. Like me, Georgie Jones moves after schools starts. I moved in with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Joe, Aunt Georgie’s brother. Georgie Jones moves to a whole new state and city, Mystic Creek, to live with her dad. And from there, the Andersen Light adventure begins.

The story continues in book two on the day after Andersen Light ends. I’ve called it Winter Soulstice: A Meta-Normal Novel because of what Shawn Green, one of Georgie’s BFFs, says about the name of the upcoming winter dance. Winter Soulstice is still in process.

Your Turn, Meta-Normal Reader

Want to tell us about your grandmother experience? Share your story in the comments.

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Meta-Normal Readers

You—readers, listeners, reviewers (on Amazon, Good Reads, etc.), gifters and donors, book sellers, librarians, and those of you who request Andersen Light: A Meta-Normal Novel be carried at your library and/or bookstore—make a meta-normal difference Andersen Light’s success. Thank you for posting and sharing on your social media. Thank you for sending me photos of lighthouses for inspiration. Every act of today’s version of word-of-mouth, which may seem small to you, makes a huge difference. You make a meta-normal difference in this world, and I am grateful for you sharing and shining the light. I appreciate you.

Welcome to the Meta-Normal World of Andersen Light

Welcome to Andersen Lighthouse and Mystic Creek (fictional Oregon town) on behalf of myself and the entire cast of characters. Thank you, new and current meta-normal readers and listeners, for reading, listening, writing reviews, and sharing Andersen Light: A Meta-Normal Novel with your friends and family.

Let’s Connect! You’ll get exclusive content, plus hints and reveals about Book 2. DM me on Insty, Bluesky, or TikTok.

Learn more: See Lighthouse History, Preservation, and the other note pages at the end of Andersen Light: A Meta-Normal Novel.