Is it time now?

She knows the date, recites it dutifully when strangers ask. October 13. But time and dates and months are totally abstract to a 3 year old. What's not abstract are the signs in nature around us. She knows the change means it's coming. She opened the door this week and looked out across the creek at the trees on the far shore.

"The leaves are changing color! The leaves are colors now, they're turning red and orange and yellow. Is it my happy birthday now?"

Soon, baby girl, it's coming so soon.