Trail of Many Colors

I recently walked a trail that had been touched by wind and rain two days prior. The storm swept mercilessly through the ‘wild and wonderful’ landscape, snapping trees like uncooked spaghetti noodles awaiting a pot of boiling water. The strong fingers of wind effortlessly plucked leaves from branches by the handful as if they were feathers of molting geese. There they lay, scattered like confetti after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Being the first week of fall, it seems wrong. These leaves, which were just beginning to showcase their brilliant personalities, were stripped from their places of purpose. They had been waiting patiently for their gentle release as they began to display glorious color for all forest dwellers and visitors alike. 

It was too soon. Now it is too late. The timing was off. 

But, as my boots brushed by these misplaced leaves, I was struck by the beauty of the tapestry that carpeted this path. Glowing all the more vividly with the falling rain, the mix of late-summer greens and early-autumn hues was spectacular. 

During the chaotic rush, through the agonizing wait, perhaps the ‘right’ timing has everything to do with where we place our focus. 

Sometimes the beauty is on the horizon and other times it’s right there under our feet.

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