Peace in Full Leaves

The leaves are growing in everywhere. It’s one of those magical things about living in the northeast.

When it’s cold, the leaves disappear. We rake them up and dispose of them in brown paper bags. The trees become naked. It almost feels like they were never there.

And then, they return!

Nature is brimming with life again.

At our house, leaves on the trees means blocking a view of (1) the busy road that runs behind our house and (2) the nearby school on the other side of Route 113. We find ourselves cocooned in greenery, so that even the distant laughter of children becomes muted.

Green leaves bring me so much peace.

When I close my eyes and think of how they came from brown, twiggy branches, plumed into red buds, and finally emerged, I see the whole cycle of life before me. The green leaves make me feel full of life, too. I think, wow, I could be a dormant leaf, and it’s time to be green again!

The best part about leaves is that there are so many. No one has ever looked up at a tree and said, “Wow!!! That one, right there! It’s the best leaf!” Leaves just don’t work that way. They’re all a part of the tree. They make it vibrant, they make the tree’s food, and help it to offer shade as a collective.

I like the idea that I might be a part of a collective, too. Aren’t humans all just a bunch of leaves, growing from one tree or another?

This thought brings me peace. It might bring you peace, too.

What brought you peace this week? Share the peace!