Under September’s Spell
(Green Frogs, Pink Clouds, Baseball, and ME!)
Puppeteer Jim Henson was born on September 24, 1936. Thanks to his creative genius, we have Kermit the Frog and his famous “Bein’ Green” song. Kermit enjoyed life in an uncomplicated way, accepting and embracing his greenness.
Kermit also taught us to dream big and to enjoy every moment God gave us. If we all had Kermit’s attitude, our world would be a better place to live, so cheers to Jim Henson for his creative genius! Let us all complain less and appreciate more.
Scott Fitzgerald was also born on September 24, though forty years earlier in 1896. While not necessarily a huge fan of his, I love two people who list The Great Gatsby among their favorite novels, so I’m grateful for his talent, too. When I googled to find quotes from the book, I found the following three that made me smile, so cheers to you as well, Mr. Fitzgerald!
“God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!” (I need to think twice before speaking and acting.)
“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” (A great reminder to be less judgmental)
“I’d like to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around.” (This would be fun to do with my grandkids.)
Though my father was born in July, I think of him often in September because he relished the game of baseball, and in September, the Major League Baseball season winds down to prepare for the playoffs. Dad was only a toddler in September 1934 when George Herman Ruth played his last game for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, but I bet The Babe was one of his first heroes.
September is also my birth month and as the first of the fall months, it has three birth flowers: forget-me-not, morning glory, and aster, all of which have symbolic love meanings. St. Paul told the Corinthians that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. He also said that out of faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love, something I’ve experienced immensely in my lifetime and for which I will be forever grateful. (1Corinthians:7, 13)
Ancient Celts believed that each month had a birth tree that influenced the personality and traits of a person born during that month. September’s birth tree is the apple tree, the generous giver of shade, wood, and fruit. According to the Celts, those born in September received the quality of generosity from their birth tree, along with gentleness and strength.
My birthstone is the sapphire, which comes in an assortment of colors, predominantly blue. However, a rare padparadscha sapphire, whose name means lotus flower, possesses a unique mix of pink and orange that we sometimes see in sunsets. Considered an aquatic beauty that grows in muddy waters and rises above the surface to bloom, it is known to bring longevity, good health, and purity of the mind and heart.
Of course, I cannot remember that September day, more than half a century ago, when I entered the world, but I am sure my parents welcomed me with much love and excitement. In their honor, I will keep singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Bein’ Green” while I enjoy pink clouds and sunsets. I will listen to distant loved ones croon “Happy Birthday” through cell phones as I age each September enjoying all the precious moments of my autumn years.
Life is especially fleeting these days, and I cannot wait to discover what God has planned for me through each winter, spring, summer, and fall. So, while summers slip away, I intend to spend my remaining days enjoying those I love and rejoicing in my existence. May God place me under September’s spell of serenity, gratitude, and gentleness and grant me strength, good health, purity, and much more love.