It’s fall!! Oh it is the beautiful gift of fall. And the beginning of October!! Holy goodness gracious, time flies. That is okay for the glorious sights and smells of autumn are upon us. Walking through a park in the northern heart of Barrie, you cannot help be in awe of the trees and flora that show the season of fall drawing near. Slowly but surely signs of transformation from a collection of fine shades of green attire to the colourful ensemble of aura and delight. A delight of multicoloured hues and tones of autumn fare that peek through the lush landscape of trees, greenery and bushes. Or the fallen leaves laying dormant ready to be awakened for play by young and old alike. How many times have I veered off a groomed path to find the joy of the soft crunch of leaves echoing beneath my feet. Love that sound. You can never be too old to be a kid.
Taking a walk this morning with the early morning dew glistening on the expanse of green grass while pushing a stroller and pulling a stubborn sniffing pup, I look up and see wonder. A wonder that comes every year without hesitation to share generously its brilliance and resplendence. The park bespeckled with a pot-pourri of trees from all parts of the globe are to be enjoyed by the many. I haven’t a clue what many of the names are. I am laughing because I remember the many annual projects in grade school in which we had to identify plants, especially weeds. But not so much identifying trees. Hmmmmm. That is too bad. Thank goodness the park patrons had the foresight to put the names under many of them….oak, ironwood (never heard of it), maple, elm, fir, ash, poplar, willow.
I feel so small amongst the stature and strength of many of the trees grown here. There are a few of them that are huge in girth and height. Beautiful to look at. Have you ever just stood and looked at such wonder. They reach for the sky while standing so stern and erect. Even when the wind comes in….love that sound by the way….you get a feeling of protection and shelter from the elements. I am sure the squirrels and chipmunks are having a hay day as you see them flit and scamper about, gathering their bounty of food for the months to come. I have to laugh because some of the squirrels get kind of cheeky as a few them do not even move as my crew draws closer to them while holding their food treasure. Hahaha. Maggie May, my not so quiet dog, does not even seem to phase them. Funny that.
So as I stare above, I see fall in again. Red, gold, orange, yellow and yes a bit of brown, the harvest of glory bespeaks in the leaves….fallin’….it’s time. The clock waits no one as do the seasons. It is amazing to me how the cycle of the seasons portray an unbelievable landscape to occur and hopefully to enjoy. Not only that, depending on where you live, fall comes early. BTW Don’t go by the stores for the seasons. Seriously. I just went to one of the Dollar Stores this week and if we go by merchandise, it seems summer fall and winter are on. Yes in deed. I can get a few items for the summer and hey there is autumn and fall delight decor, coupled with the eerie boo and howling of Halloween, and lo and behold, Christmas decor!!! Are you kidding me!!! No please don’t go by the Dollar stores for teaching the seasons to your kiddies or grandkiddies. Hold on thankfulness, keep back ghoulies, and hush about 85 days until Christmas (that is my crazy wonderful sister reminding me LOL). Sheesh it is only October 1st!!!
Thinking of the trees and me basking in their beauty, I cannot help think of the storm of Fiona that created such havoc along the eastern coast recently. My heart renders a deep sense of loss for and from nature. For nature as in storm and then nature as in trees and brush and earthen flora have left such mayhem and confusion and frankly disbelief to communities that have never seen the like. Having watched and listened and studied the devastation to the place where I hang my hat, PEI, and to Cape Breton, eastern NB, and the painful breadth and depth of destruction to those along the western coast of Newfoundland up to Quebec…heartfelt prayers. Where to start? Tears and a deep breath.
I do not think one realizes just how much you see but do not see really until it is gone. A few years ago, in Goderich, my old hometown of many many moons ago, a tornado ripped through the town coming up and out of the lake. Homes, buildings, historic sites and of course nature were ravaged and pulverized in many parts of the community, tearing down that which had been in existence for decades and decades, if not longer. My dad and mom took me for a drive as they lived just a few km down the road, not even knowing it happened at the time. I felt tears fall upon my face as dad went up and down the familiar streets. I remember thinking why did I see so much space, bare space, as we drove around. It was the huge towering trees, cascading their splendour over the avenues and streets, gone. Just no more. Holy to all that is mighty and God, what happened! No comprendez.
Now, I am grateful to see nature, trees in particular, and be amongst them. Not to be taken for granted. I have noticed that some of trees have died too, a natural act of nature. But somewhere near by, a seed has been planted, continuing the seasons of nature. And wondrously, I know that humans have the capacity to rise above the ashes. Maybe not today nor tomorrow but one day. So I look at the trees before me as I welcome the fall in mourning this morning.At some point today I am going to hug a tree. Probably one that I can wrap my arms around as some of those are big honkers. LOL. Although maybe they need a hug too. I already hugged my mom as best I could in her wheelchair (boy I miss your mom hugs, mom). But I feel the need for a strong hug, giving me strength born from roots deep in the earth from God’s Creation. Yes. Blessings.
Let us pray for those whom are in need of our prayers. Amen.
Karenpondering 