Except from Issue 02 (Letter from the Editor)
You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t believe that Autumn is the universally acknowledged season of all things cozy, pumpkin, and plaid. This makes sense. Who doesn’t like pulling on a soft sweater for the first time, grabbing a hot beverage, and taking an evening stroll through the falling leaves?
But, as many of this issue’s writers remind us, at the root of Autumn’s vibrant colors we find a stark reminder of our mortality. The beautiful leaves we kick up into the air as we walk through the corn maze are only there because they have fallen from the treetops, back to the earth. The bountiful cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting comes to a halting stop as the first frost appears, ruthlessly closing the chapter of summertime abundance. Suddenly, the cozy sweaters, warm beverages, and bonfires from the start of fall take on new significance. No longer whimsical, now they whisper to us, “memento mori.” Like the leaves, the corn, and the pumpkins we carve, one day our time will also come.
When we announced this issue’s “harvesting” theme, I mentally prepared to be inundated with floods of submissions reflecting on apple orchards, pumpkin picking, canning, hunting, and homesteading. However, while many of this issue’s pieces touch on elements of harvesting, the prevalent theme was focused on a different sort of harvest – a Heavenly harvest.
For that is how we should view our passage from time into eternity. The autumn leaves remind us that we too will return to the dust, but the flames shining within the jack o’lanterns on our porch bear witness to the eternal flicker of our souls. We are not merely hollow men, being whisked meaninglessly through the October skies. Our time on this earth is a gift, allowing us to choose our course. No matter what challenges, frustrations, and fear this Autumn holds in store, let us remember our place in God’s plan of love. Memento mori.
Looking ahead, as we prepare for fall treats, harvest parties, Thanksgiving spreads, and eventually the joys of Christmas, it is my hope that these seasons of festivity will call us up from our earthly wanderings for a moment or two. Though our journeys may seem insurmountable, may these bountiful autumn harvests grant us a glimpse into the glories that await at the Eternal Feast. This Autumn, let us focus on and rejoice in the goodness around us, and with hearts overflowing, let us offer thanks to our Creator and Lord.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude to the talented writers, poets, photographers, and artists who have trusted us with their gifts. I am blown away by the quality and quantity of submissions we received for this issue. Reading and reviewing each of the pieces we received has been a source of endless delight! Over the last few months, I have found myself recalling lessons and musings from our summer issue, and I can already tell that this Autumn issue will be no different. This issue’s contributors have already had me rethinking my premature excitement for all things pumpkin spice, purchasing gothic literature, savoring delicious chicken pot pie, and pondering the passing of time. As fall begins in earnest, I plan to carry these moments with me, deep into the winter months. I hope you’ll enjoy them half as much as I do!
I would also like to thank my fellow Trivium Magazine team members. Running a company and creating a magazine from start to finish is a huge endeavor, and without the rest of the team it would be impossible. I am especially grateful to Mikaela for the countless early mornings and late nights she spent with me formatting this issue and making it the polished magazine you hold today. Likewise, Emily’s vision and inspiration as she reviewed submissions and worked with our contributors were a source of great comfort and reassurance as we decided on the tone and focus of this issue. Finally, I am greatly indebted to my sister Maria for the time she spent painting the beautiful paintings you see on the front and back covers, and which elevate each issue by teasing out elements of our theme and mission. Each page you see is the result of hours of work and dedication, so please join me in thanking these gifted women.
Lastly, I must extend my thanks to each of you, our dedicated readers and subscribers, especially everyone who reached out after our inaugural issue to offer feedback and encouragement. Words cannot express my gratitude for your loyalty and support. We are humbled that you have joined us!
– Rachel Gerring
Executive Editor
