Leaves. They are falling all around us.
A few weeks ago, as I waited in my car for the school bell to ring, my windows rolled down to catch the balmy breeze, a leaf sailed right into my car. It was almost as if it were a disembodied spirit which was falling to the ground, then, gathering a last moment of self-will, flew sideways through the window to drift lazily into my lap. It was nearly dead but seemed so bent on being with me that I took it home and put it in a little vase of water. Besides, it made me think.
All around us, leaves are falling. They are falling with disappointment, depression and despair. They are the people around us, with “hands hanging down”, whose hearts are breaking, whose spirits are wavering, whose bodies are failing. They are old and young, male and female. Sometimes they land right in your lap and you know they are meant for you to take home, take to your heart, take into your life. More often than not, they are falling to the ground right outside your window.
Sometimes we are needed for a lifetime or only for a moment, just long enough to flash a smile, write a note or do a kind deed. Then again, there are some leaves who need us for a season, until spring comes again and they have absorbed all that is required to turn green and sprout into life on their own.
Every time I have taken home a leaf and put it in a vase of water, it has made me think. I think about how much I am blessed when I deny what I want for a season in order to provide something someone else has truly needed. In that act of selflessness, I am always transformed into a person who is so much more. For which I am very grateful.
A few weeks ago, as I waited in my car for the school bell to ring, my windows rolled down to catch the balmy breeze, a leaf sailed right into my car. It was almost as if it were a disembodied spirit which was falling to the ground, then, gathering a last moment of self-will, flew sideways through the window to drift lazily into my lap. It was nearly dead but seemed so bent on being with me that I took it home and put it in a little vase of water. Besides, it made me think.
All around us, leaves are falling. They are falling with disappointment, depression and despair. They are the people around us, with “hands hanging down”, whose hearts are breaking, whose spirits are wavering, whose bodies are failing. They are old and young, male and female. Sometimes they land right in your lap and you know they are meant for you to take home, take to your heart, take into your life. More often than not, they are falling to the ground right outside your window.
Sometimes we are needed for a lifetime or only for a moment, just long enough to flash a smile, write a note or do a kind deed. Then again, there are some leaves who need us for a season, until spring comes again and they have absorbed all that is required to turn green and sprout into life on their own.
Every time I have taken home a leaf and put it in a vase of water, it has made me think. I think about how much I am blessed when I deny what I want for a season in order to provide something someone else has truly needed. In that act of selflessness, I am always transformed into a person who is so much more. For which I am very grateful.
Scribbit contest entry for November at http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2008/11/novembers-fantastic-write-away-contest.html?showComment=1225793700000 You can enter too!
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Serious Sunday #5
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