Today’s random thoughts are somehow mixed in with the joy of fall leaves. I’ve been in awe of the kaleidoscope of autumn colors this season and I wouldn’t be the true romantic that I am if I didn’t somehow acknowledge how they have made me happy for the past few weeks. Some years are more dull and the autumn leaves turn brown too quickly. But this year? Oh this year, they have been vibrant and I’ve found myself outside many times just staring at the leaves! I just stand there. I take a deep breath of crisp air and I stare. In wonderment I think about how all the trees together look like a rainbow and I love the look at the scene as a whole. And then I pick up a fallen leaf and glory in the fact that it’s so beautiful all by itself. Like a flower, each colored leaf can be lovely all on it’s own. And as I stare I remember to be thankful to God.
It’s interesting how autumn often represents change. The bliss of summer days changing into the harsh days of winter to come. Autumn eases us into winter. It reminds us that change can be beautiful and change can be good. It some ways it tricks us into thinking that chilly days are better than those long summer nights. Autumn takes us by the hand and gently leads us into the cold, bitter days ahead and helps us prepare for it.
I love autumn. I am grateful to God every time I see the fall surrounding me in it’s colorful change. I am thankful that He gave us a season to gently ease us into winter, instead of shocking us with an abrupt change from stifling heat to a freezing chill.
And I’ve decided that I don’t want to give up winter if it means I will not get autumn. The autumn beauty makes winter cold totally worth it.
