Leaves Have Fallen

The leaves in my neighborhood have all fallen, except for one tree in my backyard. This tree has refused to turn colors and let the leaves go. That is how I feel about the coming of the holiday season. I seem to have missed the last half of September and all of October. Is it really the 17th of November? The businesses have done away with all the Thanksgiving decorations and it is still 10 days away! Santa arrived at the local mall on Thursday evening, tree sellers have already set up their stands and the grocery stores have candy canes on sale.

My poor little tree is trying to make a statement and say "Wait stop and enjoy the fall...... it is just as wonderful as winter and we still have lots of fun to be had. Rake the leaves into a pile and jump and roll among them, there will be time for snow and snowball fights in the weeks and months to come."

In late spring, we hear the saying "Don't forget to stop and smell the roses, let's stop and watch the leaves turn and fall to the ground" It is a peaceful sound, with all the leaf blowers and lawn mowers we don't seem to hear what our environment is saying to us. The falling leaves tell us almost silently to slow down. I intend to take a brief moment today to listen to the leaves.................... "Gem, enjoy life, enjoy your family, enjoy nature............."