Lessons in Leaves

As autumn's annual display nears its end here in northern Minnesota, the most stubborn leaves still cling to their branches, echoing the resilience we often need in life.

The past few days I've found myself travelling the same stretch of road between our family home and a comfortable (but far from luxurious) extended-stay hotel room — watching the number of leaves deplete with each trip has become a metaphor for the unexpected turns life can take.

Quick story: Last Thursday, at the ungodly hour of 3:30 AM, my husband's startled yelp jolted me awake. My sleepy mind imagined a night-time mishap with our old, very beloved dog. Reality proved far worse. Our water pressure tank had sprung a leak at some point in the night, and transformed our cozy, one-story house into an impromptu wading pool.

Fast forward to today—Monday—and our home bears little resemblance to its former self. Flooring has been stripped away, trim removed, and 13 years' worth of accumulated memories now stand in precarious towers, rearranged by well-meaning strangers.

Heating our house to over 100 degrees over the weekend (to prevent mold growth during the drying process) took its toll on our treasured houseplants, their resilience pushed to the limit, much like our own.

I know how fortunate we are; we have a roof over our heads and will be home before too long. Still, this is far from easy. Our challenge lies in embodying the wisdom of autumn trees—letting go with grace, standing tall in adversity, and finding growth in hardship.

As we navigate this unexpected chapter, I'm learning to appreciate the beauty in impermanence and the strength found in adaptation. Like the trees that inspire us with their annual display of change, we can find grace in life's transitions.

Until next time, may you find the strength to weather whatever challenges come your way.