by Beth Lefever, Student Minister

It is autumn, and the trees are once again gifting us with a bold exposition of the glorious transformation of their leaves from life into death.

It is good to pause at this time of year to reflect on the fact that the cycle of the leaves is so similar to the cycles of life and death we negotiate as part of the human pilgrimage. It is good, too, to note that this particular time of the leaves’ cycle, this time of the leaves’ old age, is the most breathtaking and resplendent of their entire existence. This time of their final transformation is the leaves’ most spectacularly beautiful, and that which speaks most profoundly to many of us human beings as we ever transition toward the autumn of our own lives.

Though we do not value old age as perhaps we should, could it be that it is for us, as for the leaves, the most resplendent time of our lives? Could it be that the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience that dignifies our slowed steps, brightens our dimming eyes, crinkles our knowing smiles…could it be that that is the truest beauty of human life?

Unlike the leaves, our colors fade as we age. Our hair thins and grays, our cheeks lose their glow, and our eyes their shimmer, but could it be that our age spots are but the freckles of our youth now grown plump with wisdom, and that the wealth of our experience fills us from deep down to overflowing, stretching our skin so beautifully fine and paper thin?

Like the leaves, we are all cycling through our lives: experiencing the winds and storms, the cleansing rains and healing sun; cleaving singularly to our twigs and branches, but close in the dancing, trembling, company of others; all of us sharing the same tree of life.

May we be reminded by the lessons of the leaves to live our lives fully, all the way through, until, rich with color and glory, it becomes time to let go. And then, like the leaves, may we let go with grace, trusting in the cycles of life.

Beth