A walk down a new path left us in awe of this tree, with its roots running deep and branches reaching for the sky. We were mesmerized by the way the sun fought through the smokey haze, enough to illuminate the sparsity of this tree’s foliage. It was beautiful, but our hearts felt a bit heavier inside.

You see, surrounding this lonesome tree were thousands of stumps and logs…dissected trees. The land had been made to sell for property. Someday, someone will buy this land and build a home. Perhaps children will play in the tall grass that will soon replace the stumps. I hope that the inhabitants of this land will know and appreciate all of the roots that were left behind.

I hope they see this tree and hear it say, “I’m still here. I will still carry on”. I hope many picnics are had under its shade and many books are read alongside it’s trunk. I hope it is never forgotten. 

Autumn brings upon us a change that we all anticipate. For some, taste buds begin to crave the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, while others yearn to hear the crunch of fallen leaves beneath their feet. I enjoy the latter, especially if lost in a forest on the path to a new discovery in life.

That is where I found myself the other day, panting from a run with my four-legged companion, lost both in the forest and in thought. Through beads of sweat, salty lips and labored breathing, my mind wandered aimlessly. It was not until I found the strength to ease my breath and mute my footsteps, that I could hear the quietness which only occurs among the trees. The echos of cars, boats and planes did not pollute my ears. Raised voices of discord ceased to penetrate beyond the barriers provided by this dense wood.

There, in the middle of a bustling town, a forest existed which spoke to me in the language of the trees. I circled around myself opening my heart to its words as rays of sun cascaded down upon me. I heard the whisper of a thrill as the leaves danced on top of the wind’s passing tail. I belonged. I could hear nature’s voice through the serenity of the evergreens.

With my eyes closed, I heard the forest floor calling for the leaves to come join in its earthly company. A beautiful song sang among the breeze and the colors of the dry leaves. They used instruments that were unrivaled by any man-made device; instruments that summoned the leaves hanging on by their stems, calling them to their resting place.

I opened my eyes to see the wind offering to carry a single leaf on its journey down. This sun-tinted leaf resisted, as if it feared the descent, as if it feared the unknown. Yet, the leaves below danced joyfully in the breeze, enticing their friend to take part in their promenade. Again, the wind offered to carry it down gently. This time the leaf gave a little, just enough so that I could hear its stem twist, readying for flight. And at last, as if all of nature whispered, “it’s time”, the branch, in which this leaf laid anchor, gave a jaunting wave, releasing the leaf to its destiny. Caught on the back of the wind, the leaf stretched out in glee as it was indeed carried by the crisp autumn air.

My spirit leapt as I witnessed this magical miracle, hidden away in the forest. I asked myself, “When a leaf falls, does it fall alone?” Mother Earth cried out, “No, never alone! Just as we are never truly alone. Whether we are taking the leap of faith into the great unknown simultaneously with others, or we are leaping on our own time, someone will always find their way to us. Just as the leaf was encouraged by its friends, waved on by its branch of security and carried by the wind of faith, we are surrounded by other souls who care, who offer aide and cheer us on.

Let us not forget how we are all essence of nature and are all connected in spirit. Be kind to one another. Always. For all that we give to others, will one day be returned to us. Let it be kindness that is returned.

A tree’s roots do not run straight into the earth in isolation, but rather spread out among the other living creatures. From all directions, we too, cross each other’s paths, intertwining our lives in this web, known as the universe. Despite how our outward expressions differ, we share common ground. For does the Big Leaf Maple not drink from the same waters as the conifers of the forest? Do they not come from the same life source? We are not much different from trees. We are not much different from each other.