When I think of autumn, I am filled with many happy memories. Memories of childhood days spent raking leaves and jumping in the huge piles with my brothers and sister. Memories of long drives through the countryside, admiring the poplar leaves as they turn golden in the sun. Memories of fall walks with leaves floating down from above, the musty smell of fallen leaves wafting up as they crunch underfoot. Memories of my own children dancing and playing in the leaves. So many beautiful memories that I hold close to my heart. Through this, I am reminded that every season God has created is one of beauty and wonder. Even as the leaves pass from their green growth of summer to their fall finery which marks the end of their growth cycle, there is beauty in the passing. And although soon the winter snows will fall, there will come a day when new growth will replace all that was cold and bare. In a similar way, our lives go through seasons of change. Days come and go, our lives evolving and changing with the years. Even the most difficult times in our lives have beauty if we pause and appreciate the little things. As the old passes, new things emerge to take their place, and on the cycle goes, one season leading into the next in a never ending cycle of growth and death and new life. So when change comes to my life, I think of the beauty of the autumn leaves as they dance in the wind, knowing that each season has a beauty of its own, and seasons of new growth will come again soon.
Dancing in the Wind
By Krista Longeway
Dressed in crisp crimson and glorious gold,
The tall trees stand still and silent.
Wistfully watching and waiting,
For just the right moment to arrive again.
Then suddenly the wind picks up purposefully,
And the leaves quietly quiver.
Loosening their grasp on the trembling tree,
With a gentle shake and shiver,
They bravely leap into the autumn air.
Lifted by a sudden gust of wild wind,
Leaves gently twist and twirl.
Floating gracefully, turning this way then that,
They show off their fall finery.
Dancing to the music of the whispering winds.
Oh Krista, what a beautifully written piece! It really comes to life in my mind today with the wind and the autumn colours falling and dancing!