I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes (PSLs). This year I was at Starbucks at 5:30 in the morning on the first day they were available. Although I love the flavor of pretty much anything Pumpkin Spice, there is much more to these PSLs for me than the flavor.
First, they represent a change in seasons. Since I am pretty miserable during the summer in Texas, hearing the news of when the PSLs are going to be available gives me hope – hope that the triple digit temperatures, humidity and drought will be coming to an end.
Secondly, they represent anticipation. Every sip tastes like autumn colors, farmers markets, Oktoberfest’s, pumpkin patches, craft fairs and of course, Halloween. Where would be without the feeling of anticipation?
After going through a very difficult and a rather traumatic experience, my daughter asked me how I got through it. I told her this:
“I always found something to look forward to – to anticipate. It could be something as simple as a favorite tv show or sports event coming on. It could be church on Sunday. It was never anything huge, but there was always something I anticipated. It gave me something to look forward to. It gave me hope. Without that hope, I would have crumbled.”
So, yes, the first day of PSLs represents anticipation for me. They represent hope for what’s to come. Whether or not you like them, I encourage you to find something that does the same
for you and continually live in hope.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Raelyn Pracht 