I hadn't realized the leaves had changed until the tree had fallen

Last week, we celebrated Thanksgiving.  My husband and I cooked for more than 20 people and had an amazing time entertaining guests the entire weekend.  The only downfall to the holiday weekend was that we were hit with torrential downpours and eventually an ice storm.  We were lying in bed on Saturday morning and heard a sudden crash...it was the sound of the tree outside our bedroom  window splitting and falling to the ground.  (Thank God, it didn't damage the house.)

Throughout the day, we heard the crackling of tree limbs and watched, cautiously, as the wires crossing our backyard began to droop under the weight of the ice accumulation.  Thousands of people across the city, lost electrical power and trees lost limbs as the freezing rain continued to fall.  It wasn't until Sunday morning as I drove to church and again this morning as I walked Arby, that I noticed the leaves on the trees had already changed.  The leaves were so brilliantly colored.  Shades of ruby, violet, chartreuse, cocoa, cherry, turquoise and hazel all intermingled on the ground.  They were so beautiful!  The colors were so intense and immediately I felt a tinge of disappointment.  I wasn't disappointed because the limbs had fallen, but my heart sank because I realized that I had missed the changing of the season.  

Everyday I drive or walk along the same street lined by massive trees and I hadn't noticed the leaves had changed their hue.  It immediately made me stop to think what else I had been missing.  What things had I skimmed over because I was moving too quickly?  What cues had I missed to signal that I was embarking upon another season?   What cues have you missed?

Are you traveling along the same streets and missing the signs?  Are you going through life without recognizing the tiny joys and the beautiful shades that cover your personal landscape?  Are you so busy trying to get down the street of life that you have completely missed the trees and shrubs that line your path?  

• The laughter of your children?
• The hug of a friend?
• The smile of a stranger?
• The touch of your lover?
• The note of encouragement?
• The unexpected phone call? 

Have you missed it all?

Think about it!  Why are we constantly rushing through life, trying to reach our academic, financial and social goals; but missing the tiny details and crucial life experiences that were sent to make us recognize the beauty of God?  It's not too late to make a change!  You don't want to wait until a storm comes and the tree splits before you realize how beautiful it really was.

Be thankful for the few friends who are consistent in your life.....let them know that you appreciate them.

Be gracious and helpful to the senior citizen whom you see struggling to walk down the aisle...offer a cart or maybe your arm to help steady them.

Be mindful when you spend time with your children...recognize that 5 minutes of your undivided attention means a lifetime of your child knowing that you care.

Be present when your lover touches the small of your back....it might not be about intercourse but rather the touch symbolizes a form of intimacy and connection.

Be open to wisdom of others....they might save you a world of bad decisions.

Take time to notice every pigment and shade: brown or toffee-colored; green or mint; orange or apricot; red or cerise; yellow or lemon; blue or ultramarine.  Each color is vibrant and original and carries with it its own story.  Don't miss the message.  Don't miss the opportunity.  Don't miss the joy.  Relish every interaction.  Recognize each opportunity to grow.  There's still enough time to recognize the pulchritude of the leaves before the tree actually falls.

Now walk it out.............. and notice the leaves.