I’m writing this on my iPad sitting in a Starbucks. I have my pumpkin spice latte, tall, and I’ve been watching Barefoot in the Park, based on a Neil Simon play.

By my count, that makes me at least 15% hipster. Maybe 20%.

I was thinking today on why autumn is my favorite season. Of course, there are the usual suspects: leaves ablaze in color, crisp breezes and chilly weather, hayrides, bonfires and — of course– pumpkin spice everything.

But for me there’s one more. Fall means that three good holidays are coming. Those are Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. When that first autumn breeze hits my face, I know those three are within reach.

I also have lots of happy childhood memories tied up with fall. Except for raking leaves. That’s not one of them. I don’t know why, but autumn always seems to trigger memories of people and places long gone. Not sad memories, but happy ones.

Plus, there’s no humidity in fall, which after this summer is a very good thing.

I suppose most of all autumn is a reminder that one season inevitably follows another. First autumn, then winter will come. Then spring.

Just like I can be sure that while this creation groans and yearns for deliverance, Eternal Spring is coming where Hope becomes Reality and Joy truly springs eternal.

There’s also hot chocolate.