It’s that time of year again to enjoy the awesome fall colors of our rural Wisconsin home. I’ve been out doing that … but, the home is quieter this year, and autumn is showing me another, deeper, parallel between nature and life.
Our youngest is off to college and the nest is bare for the first time in almost thirty years. Apparently this is a goal for some people, but we’ve never looked forward to this day. Well, yes, in some ways -- we’ve always worked for our children’s lasting happiness, building their dreams, watching them grow... So, we have known and prayed for this day. And, yet… my wife and I feel, hear, perk up at the memories echoing in the emptiness of our home and hearts.
Like the autumn trees…
Last weekend the falling leaves called me into the company of the trees, sharing their melancholy as I watched the leaves pirouette and glide in their dance from the home of their youth, off on their next grand adventure.
Our youngest is off to college and the nest is bare for the first time in almost thirty years. Apparently this is a goal for some people, but we’ve never looked forward to this day. Well, yes, in some ways -- we’ve always worked for our children’s lasting happiness, building their dreams, watching them grow... So, we have known and prayed for this day. And, yet… my wife and I feel, hear, perk up at the memories echoing in the emptiness of our home and hearts.
Like the autumn trees…
Last weekend the falling leaves called me into the company of the trees, sharing their melancholy as I watched the leaves pirouette and glide in their dance from the home of their youth, off on their next grand adventure.
Autumn leaves prance from the trees
Like our kids -- off making new friends…
A natural mix of Oak, Maple, Cherry and Birch leaves
…finding ways to contribute their own new, unique blessings into the world…
An autumn reflection and Aspen leaf on the top of a car
We offer a parent’s blessings and prayers to all youngsters making their way into the world; and to every other parent’s bitter-sweet swell of pride, worry, hope … for all the pieces of their hearts dancing out into the world -- our prayers of Peace & Growth to all.
