Secrets

I want to be hugged

By the trees and their secrets

Kissed by falling leaves

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There are few things in life as invigorating to my soul as Autumn. Everything about it--the crisp chill in the air, the bright orange and red leaves, the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer, the smell of dirt, leaves, and wet wood everywhere (seriously, they need to bottle that and sell it), and the most sacred and joyous of holidays--Halloween--creeping closer and closer.

 

My soul has been hurting lately and no matter what I tried to use to heal it, it never seemed to last too long (even two trips to Disney World didn't seem to work anymore... and that is saying something my friends). But there is something strangely magical and healing the moment you step foot inside the forest... something I was finally able to do this past weekend after over a month and a half here in Novosibirsk.

 

The trees surround you and block out the rest of the world and it's troubles; their branches shield you from the sky, making you forget the passage of time. The birds sing a symphony for you and the leaves crunch beneath your feet, reminding you that there is always beauty in everything--even death. And there is a mystery among the trees--you don't know what they are hiding... the forest is full of secrets--and for awhile you are a part of its secret and its story as you wander among the paths and run your fingers along the tree trunks.

 

Maybe it's because we originated within the trees. They once sheltered us and housed us. We've forgotten the trees--we've begun to shun them, replacing them with concrete jungles instead. We've grown anxious and sick... though we don't know why or how until we step foot back in the forest and we realize that we were just homesick for the trees--the magic of the forest... our ancient home.

 

I hope you find time to get lost among the trees while they are still putting on a dazzling show for you... You'll feel it's healing touch even before you knew that you needed it.

 

Only 18 days until Halloween!

 

a.r.w.



Beautiful

 

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I like to think of the Earth as a phoenix at this time of year. Everything bursts into a colorful, beautiful blaze just before it dies... much like the phoenix bursts into flames before being reborn from the ashes.

 

Autumn shows me that death is not quite as scary as we sometimes think it is. It shows me that there can be such a thing as a beautiful death. Death is not a glamorous thing. It is messy, scary, and traumatizing to witness. At the very surface of it all, beautiful seems like the very last thing it would be.

 

I think what makes death beautiful is when someone's life is beautiful. My brother's death was not a beautiful, peaceful, "slip away" sort of death. As my mom says, "He went out swinging." I would not consider Jed's death to be beautiful... but goodness gracious his life was a  masterpiece. He lived life with such a fire and his desire to live life to the fullest, all the way to the very end, is both admirable and beautiful.

 

What Jed's death showed me was that death has the potential to be beautiful but what's even more beautiful is the life you lived and how you live on even after death in the hearts and minds of those that you managed to touch while on this planet. 

 

I'm always dazzled by this time of year--a beautiful transition from life to death. And while I, too, am in a transitional phase in my life, this season is taking on a whole new meaning for me. It's a beautiful time of year and it shows me that beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places--such as loss, tragedy, and even death.

I was playing with my watercolors and decided to try something from kindergarten. These are trees made from blowing air through a straw. I love how they turned out! Each one is unique! Give it a try--it's super easy and fun.

Only 28 days until Halloween!

a.r.w.