I would be remiss to not remind you that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. You likely know that already, as the month has gained prominence over the years.
Here's a slide show from Web MD that is among the thousands of pieces of information available to us all.
Stay informed. It just might save your life and, Remarkable Woman, we want you here as long as possible.
I looked out the window, and a glimmer caught my eye. Is that a butterfly? In October? It's rare enough to see them during our Seattle summers, at least in my neighborhood. But there was the flapping of yellow wings, near a tree in my neighbor's yard.
Wait a minute! That sure is a huge butterfly. On second glance, I realized those weren't flapping wings - it was a leaf blowing in the wind. But it wasn't attached to a tree. It was suspended in the air, all alone. How can that be?
For the next ten minutes, I stared at a leaf that had turned gold with the breath of the fall air, as it flitted about, seemingly having fun, while attached to a spider web. That had to be it. There was no visible link to any part of the tree. Just a leaf being inhaled and exhaled, sliding up and down the silky string as if on a tram. Up, then down, and up again. Each inhale took it behind the trunk. Each exhale brought it back into view.
All around it, other leaves were falling to the ground, no longer tethered to their life support. Some were red, others orange. They joined the hundreds that were already laying on their grassy grave, decaying to shades of brown. But not so the lone yellow leaf. Six hours later it was still blowing in the wind. Up and down. The next day, it was gone.
Nature doesn't bring these moments without a lesson to share. The Golden Leaf is like the determined heart that chooses to be expressed. It yearns for authenticity, not being content to wither and wrinkle before its time. It determines its own pace and path. It enjoys the views along the way, and brings joy to those who encounter its journey. It knows the journey will end one day, and fills each day with gusto in present time.
When it joins the others that have lost their luster on the ground, it will linger in its glory until it can no longer withstand the forces that overpower it. But it knows full well that it will return and provide sustenance to those who will replace it. With the assurance that it is not truly gone, it rests in peace.
What color is your leaf right now?
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