autumn leaves – Heather Holleman

While It Lasts

Autumn arrives and fades so quickly.

Already, some trees surrender their leaves.

The weather report predicts snow for later this week. Snow! I’m never ready for it.

All day, I’m reminded of these glorious colors that do not last.

I look up from my life, and time has fallen around my feet like leaves from an oak tree in winter. I tell my oldest daughter to enjoy these carefree days of childhood while they last. A college student’s mother visits my class and tells the students to “be sponges and enjoy college while it lasts.”

This impulse (and commitment) to blog–to record a moment in time–has something to do with capturing the fleeting day. This day happened! It really did! The sky was that blue. The leaves were this vibrant.

Each day offers something. One day, I’ll rake them together like a pile of leaves to jump in, squealing with delight like I did as a girl.

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Journal: What moment would you want to record about this day?

My Ruined Fall Photos

I live on a street where, when the leaves change in the fall, they seem lit from within like they’re going up in flames. “You just have to see the one in my backyard,” my neighbor says. I stand with my neighbor and observe this tree.

I take several other pictures of gorgeous autumn leaves so red and purple that you can’t even believe it. But when I upload the photos, a blurry smudge obscures every shot. Whatever it is, it’s actually on the lens.

You can’t take beautiful photos with a dirty lens. I think about this very simple and obvious lesson: I want to cleanse my heart and mind so I can observe with clarity the beauty about me.

I ask myself what ruins my outlook, and it’s usually that I’m self-focused rather than God-focused. I wipe the lens with the cloth and return to the task.

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Journal: What often ruins your focus?