Fall Light
A reflection on light, faith, and hope
As I walk around crunching in the fall leaves, I often am stopped in my tracks by the beauty of this season. It seems brighter and more vibrant because last fall we missed this…because of Hurricane Helene. We lost so many trees and so many leaves and branches that the fall was grayer. It was as if we skipped over fall and moved into winter.
These little moments of my children crunching in leaves in the same streets and places I did growing up are changing me, too. I know that the beauty that they are seeing now will help them look for the light dancing between the trees highlighting the different hues of this season.
And I am still amazed at the journey and path that led us here to this place…again. There’s something about places and spaces we encounter as children that root us in the practices that speak to our lives forever. I didn’t know it when I was growing up of course, but the time I spent playing in the backyards of friends and family became a part of where I sought peace and space to reflect.
When I am wrestling or wondering I find myself wandering to the woods filled with trees and light and color. I find myself wanting to just sit and notice the way the leaves rustle and the creatures bustle to find food under the brush.
Watching their movement bring peace to the wrestling and wondering. Slowly, I feel grounded again. I may not know what lies ahead, but I know that I am but a small part of the forest that surrounds me. I listen to their lessons: stand tall, don’t be afraid to change, and always provide others a place to rest.