Leaves Falling

Leaves are wonderfully attractive on the branches during the spring, throughout the middle seasons, and even as they cover the ground, given up by their hosts as a contribution to the earth.

I miss you and I feel somewhat like the leaf in late fall, adrift and falling gently through space, buoyed by the patterns of air, unsure of my resting place. Since I grew from a bud I have impacted my environment in many positive ways. As a bud, I announced the emergence of new life; as a leaf, I created my share of the chlorophyl that sustains my parent; as I grew in size, I brought shade to the earth and protected the ground from heavier rains. At each stage of my journey, my colors captured the attention of humans who in turn have made metaphors of them: signs life’s renewal, the source of romantic love, the coming of winter, and so many more. While my time here is brief, I have nurtured my host, sheltered wildlife, inspired authors and artists of all kinds, and as I release myself to the earth I renew life yet again.

In many of these moments I have done for you as well. I made you smile as you gaze upon me from your deck. I sheltered you from the sun as you walked in moments of quiet reflection. I gave you pause to consider the richness of your life, reflected in the bountiful colors, green, yellows, oranges, reds. 

You have given your share in return. You laughed heartily and sent resonant tones into the universe. You cried and gave your tears to the clouds. You nurtured the soils and created gardens to brighten your spirit and those of others. 

Your life cycle is not unlike my own, Your birth gave joy and symbolized rebirth; your life was filled with contributions as well as challenges; and the ways in which you faced them affected the outcomes, not unlike the ways we faced the challenges of rain and sunshine, floods and droughts. The ways in which you demonstrate your character parallel my own. Calm in the face of angry winds, welcoming and embracing the harsh sun as a friend, holding no ill will; accepting the harmonies of life.

Your time here is longer, hence you experience greater quantities and varieties of life’s gifts and pains, much like the trees that host their leaves. Accept and embrace them all for the thrills and feelings they elicit, All attest to your vitality.

I leave you now your reward for the day. Somewhere in the cosmos someone loves you beyond measure and accepts you willingly as you are. Somewhere in the cosmos someone longs to be with you in the flesh but accepts that it is enough sometimes to feel your presence in his heart and your love in the blood that courses through his veins. 

Be well,