This is my birthday month, and I plan on celebrating every day! It’s hard to believe that this year is almost gone. As we look back at September, which seemed to come and go as if it were just a week instead of a month. Let’s reflect on how fortunate we Floridians have been thus far. This time last year, Hurricane Helene had already wreaked havoc and left parts of our state devastated. So far…thank you, Lord.

I don’t think the trees in my front yard have received the memo — they’re still green! The grass is still thick, green, and lush. And the temperature in the morning is still quite warm. I know I’m in Florida, but can someone from the northern states please send us a cool breeze?

Anywho, browsing over October’s calendar, there are some 226 October awareness and monthly celebrations. The Head Start Awareness Month is part of this October extravaganza. Some of those include AIDS Awareness Month, American Pharmacists Month, Blindness Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Emotional Wellness Month, and Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, just to name a few.

Today, the first day of the month, we celebrate National Dessert Month (Oct. 1) along with​ National Cookbook Month (Oct. 1), National Cinnamon Roll Day (Oct. 4), and National Pumpkin Day. (Oct. 26) Other celebrations are…The Bilingual Child Month, National Work and Family Month, National Forgiveness & Happiness Day (Oct. 7), and Pastor Appreciation Month, which includes Pastor Appreciation Day. (Oct. 12) For the complete list, click on our cinnamon buns.

Since my son Andre’ and I both work in the IT fields, we can’t forget National Techies Day (Oct. 3) or National Internet Day (Oct. 29). Sometimes, between those monitors and keyboards, you don’t know if you’re coming or going. But as Q told James Bond, “Never let them see you sweat and always have a plan of escape.” LOL.

These Hillybilly Bones really do enjoy Country Music Month. Reba McEntire is one of my favs.

Finally, filling up this pumpkin patch are our Federal holidays: Columbus Day, National Day of the Deployed, Navy Birthday, Navy Day, and United Nations Day.

We must always remember the First Responders on Health Care Aide Day, and National First Responders Day. Lives sacrificed so that we can all have good health and our freedom, for which we should never forget to say thank you and show our gratitude not only to them but also to their families.

And Linus, wherever you are this year, I’m sure some of us will be waiting for the Great Pumpkin on Halloween.

A little October Trivia. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

O God of changing seasons, as the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, we thank you for the vibrant beauty of autumn. May this month be one of gratitude for all that has been harvested in our lives this year, both the joys and the challenges. Fill us with your peace and guide our steps as we enter this new month. Replace any worries or doubts in our hearts with faith and hope. We offer this month to you and ask for your blessings upon our loved ones and our community. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Happy New Month and best wishes to you all. Blessings and Peace!

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