Don’t let ‘busyness’ ruin the good times ahead

We’ve always thought this should be called the crazy time of the year — or the beginning of the crescendo that ends with New Year’s Day. Any way you look at it, there is so much going on in September that no matter which direction you go, something different is happening.

The State Fair occupies many people’s time and many children’s fantasies each September. It’s every child’s dream — and every budget’s nightmare — and the source of great fun for people of all ages. And, contrary to what the children tell you, there’s lots to see and do that doesn’t include the carnival rides.

The thing about the fair, however, is it is followed quickly by the balloon fiesta, which fills everyone’s time and thoughts for a couple of weeks. That is quickly followed by Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. This crazy month of September leads us non-stop into the craziness of the holiday season. It means we’re already behind with preparations. Who has even thought about Christmas shopping yet?

September is also busy and distracting, because we are still adjusting to the changes brought by the beginning of the school year. Children’s schedules are busier, homework has to get done, and parents know they must be involved every day in order to ensure their kid’s success.

But we can’t forget football; that’s always an important part of September. But where do we find the time to watch our high schoolers play on Friday nights, our favorite college teams on Saturday, then the NFL on Sunday?

And, since fall begins this coming week, we have to deal with all that comes with weather changes. Summer has to be shut down and winter turned on. That means turning off the coolers (and) it means finding all those warm clothes and blankets, checking the fireplace, and planning for less time outside and more time inside.

And, locally, we already have candidates announcing they are going to run for office in the March city elections. March? That seems so far away. Maybe it’s only fair this is happening in Rio Rancho because the (Oct. 3) Albuquerque city election is filling the local news cycles, as it should.

On top of all that, we’re all so concerned with the hurricane and flood news in Texas and Florida that it is consuming many of our thoughts and much of our time as we watch the progress of these storms. Oh, how sad it must be for so many of our fellow Americans to have lost everything, who see their lives changing forever because of Mother Nature. We pray, we help as we can, but it is a drain on all of us as we see the suffering that is occurring before our eyes. We pray for those affected.

So, we are in the middle of the crazy times, and it’s only going to get crazier. It’s not, as they say, the worst of times; it has all the markings of the best of times, so long as we don’t let ourselves get pulled down by all the “busyness.”

If we put together all the fun to be had at the fair, the balloon fiesta, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, then add in a few football games and roaring fires, we’re facing one of the best times of our lives. Enjoy.