Last Year's Leaves

L A S T

Y E A R ' S

L E A V E S

Early March, dead leaves on tree.

The sight was not the kind that usually inspires a photo - but as I walked I was drawn by this particular tree, and stopped to take a photograph. It was early in the month of March.

Actually, I was looking for signs of spring, but this tree did not show such signs.

"Why", I said to myself, "were these leaves still on the tree, when they should have blown off months ago in the winds of the winter!"

Nearby was a patch of icy snow, a remnant of what had begun falling on the Washington, D.C. area just before Christmas. "It is still here, two and one half months later!"

Snowy patch

The dead leaves on the tree remind us:

It's a mistake to try to live in the past.

Time moves on,

And life flows with it.

We know that new leaves will come, for they've been developing

in the branches of the tree.

They will push outward, forcing dead leaves out of their way as they grow.

Such is the force of LIFE,

and it cannot be stopped!

Open door surprise

Although the snow had reached more than

eighteen inches outside our front door,

Although the snow had drifted to cover

automobiles up to their hoods,

Although the snowplows piled up snow,

with sidewalks and bus stops inaccessible,

and walkers trod the roads,

Although many families in the NE

United States lost their power,

We made it through.

God's grace and mercy were with us.

Have we thanked Him for that?

View from open door after

the first big snowfall, Christmas, 2009

Sunstar, clouds, pine

After the storm, the sun shone again.

The drama of its appearing

was captured in the photo here.

The budding branches will banish those leaves.

We remember the many days of

snow and wind, and now see them

replaced as the crocus, daffodils and

hyacinths appear.

Let us pause, look up and say,

"Thank you, Father, for your love,

mercy and tender loving-kindness to us.

Sunstar, clouds, and pine

Yours is the kingdom,

the power,

and the glory,

forever!"