As we drove down our hill this morning, through a tunnel of trees, we experienced a magical moment …
At first, we noticed a large profusion of brown and yellow leaves on the pavement, light colored shapes upon a dark background. As we drove further on, a leaf-fall was happening and we drove right through it!
It is a unique experience, watching small objects fall from the sky. The falling of leaves is similar to watching snowflakes fall during a winter storm. They twirl and spin on their way to the ground. The oak and maple leaves fell in random patterns on and around our car creating a carpet of color on the road and on us. It was as if tiny fairies held each leaf and guided them to earth. We marveled at the beauty of God’s handiwork in the various leaf colors and shapes. Perhaps it was a change in temperature or a gust of wind that occurred right at the time we were driving down the road? Whatever the case, we were in the midst of a leaf-fall! They plopped on the car roof and slide along the windows. It was a memory to tuck away and pull out later in the day to marvel over. November 6, 2014 was made special because of this event.
On my return trip, I had been looking forward to a repeat performance. But there were no leaves floating through the air this time. Not a one. There were just leaves on the road and trees. No magical fairies twirling leaves in the air.
Yet we still had our memory tucked away. We were handed beauty on a platter and had the opportunity to appreciate it. We could have viewed those falling leaves as a bothersome reminder that the cold of winter would soon be upon us. We could have viewed those leaves as evidence of death and decay and nothing more. Or, we could turn that thinking around and appreciate the beauty of Fall making its exit this year, giving us an opportunity to enjoy some bright color before the cold and chilling winds of Winter were ushered in.
Nothing earth shattering happened on November 6th, except that a shower of leaves fell on us as we drove our car down the road. It was a small occurrence. But that is what our days are made of, aren’t they? Small occurences happening within a span of time, one after the other and before you know it, they make up a day.
We have the opportunity to see beauty right in front of us, and we have a choice how we each respond to that beauty and to others in this journey we are all on through life.
I saw a leaf fall today. What will you see?