#11 You Say Autumnal I Say Autumnal

Reflections

Isn’t it interesting how people from different parts of the country—and even around the world—pronounce certain words differently? For instance, take the words "tomato" and "potato." This reminds me of the song "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," written by George and Ira Gershwin and performed by artists such as Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr., Willie Nelson, and Cyndi Lauper. You know the lines: "You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to, or po-tay-to, po-tah-to."

This brings me to the reason I’m writing this post. Today, I was re-watching an episode of my favorite HGTV show, ‘Home Town’. I believe it was episode 15 of season 7, which was particularly emotional. It featured a house renovation for a couple seeking a fresh start after the heartbreaking loss of their newborn baby.

One word that caught my attention during the show was "autumnal." Erin Napier, one of the stars of ‘Home Town’, said the word several times, and her pronunciation was simply charming. Here in California, we usually say it as ah-TUM-nal. However, Erin pronounced it as autumn-NAL, essentially saying "autumn" with "nal" at the end. This variation is likely common in the South.

All this to say, isn’t it so lovely that we aren’t all the same? Even in the same country, isn’t it wonderful that we all have differences that we can observe and appreciate?

I genuinely believe that one of the most extraordinary aspects of life is the rich tapestry of our diversity. Imagine how dull and uninviting our world would become if everyone were the same—each person a clone of the next. Our unique traits, backgrounds, and perspectives infuse vibrancy and depth into our experiences. These differences enhance our interactions and transform them into captivating encounters filled with new insights and stories that spark curiosity and wonder.

Our differences, in my opinion, are most certainly a good thing.

See you tomorrow!