Jan Goldyn, Author

There's a certain happiness inside when October rolls around and you see a bright orange pumpkin by a home's front door. Or next to a fence post, scarecrow, haybale, garden gate or basket of mums! Wherever they show up they have the ability to pierce a little piece of our hearts.

Pumpkins are one of the first welcomers of full-blown autumn. Their joyous presence helps us reach back into our memories -- icing pumpkin cookies in our grandma's kitchen, her calico kitty yawning calmly as red leaves circled and leapt outside the screen door. Picking out our favorite pumpkin after running through the patch with a new puppy or old loyal pal -- carving it later after carefully drawing our jack-o-lantern faces.

Maybe pumpkins have us recall the burnt-sugar aroma of melting caramels, into which we dipped apples on a stick. Or the nutty smell of pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven. I think of the earthy smell of burning leaves, foil-wrapped potatoes sizzling on a campfire and gooey half burnt marshmallows ☺

Whatever little pieces of your heart are sparked by our cheerful orange friends, savor them, welcome them, thank them. Let their season soak into your remembrances and brighten those tiny autumn places that are just waiting to be kindled in your soul! ♥