Leaves

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Leaves

by

P. A. Matthews

         I watch a leaf fall. Others in its family join the festivities of autumn as they skitter and dance across barren, parched lawns. A waltz of sorts, the breeze singing its own haunting melody, ruffling, stirring, beckoning the leaves into couples and circles, wafting them higher to join the song.

         A tapestry, reverberating with sun-kissed yellows, bronzed orange and scintillating red weaves itself before my eyes. A living portion of cloth, changing texture and form as the wind rustles the colors together for a brief moment in time. Brought together for me to witness the solid fabric of fall, one last show-stopping burst before winter claims and buries.

         It is a time of harvest, the earth bringing forth its bounty in full measure. A time of fellowship with those we love gathered around a table giving thanks to God for allowing another year. A reminder our lives and its abundance carries with it not only promise, but humbleness and gratitude as we provide for others not at our table.

         As I watch the ballet of the leaves dancing to the tune of the wind, I know in my head what has occurred. The sap in the tree stops running to the leaves as it prepares to become dormant. The leaves drop as a result, fall as the life of the tree strengthens itself for rest. In my heart, that miracle is greater as the tree sustains its life in the trunk while sleeping through a harsh and bitter winter to once again spring forth, producing to life a vital new bud. A miracle of nature allowed by God, the miracle we are privileged to share if we would just watch.

         The leaves remind me there is hope, cycles in our lives God provides. The summer and its warm days of sun, the earth basking, waiting to bring forth what we have planted. The fall brings in the completed crops as the days and earth cool, preparing our bodies for nourishment from a yearlong toil. Winter, a time of rest and restoration in our lives from the hectic year we have lived. Spring, a time dedicated to renewal as once again buds and grasses form and our hearts rejoice we have come through the dark of winter’s rest.

         Each season holds its own grace and purpose, a design in nature we can follow in our daily walk through life. Trusting there is someone watching over us, wanting to walk beside and share our life.

         The leaves are gone, swept along by the whistling wind. I stare at their tree in anticipation. Waiting for their return.