This fall I have been watching a tree. Our neighborhood has such a beautiful variety of colors in November- I especially LOVE the red leaves. We watch the trees go from green to a bright red and from the time Scott was little we’ve called them “FIRE trees” like this one on the corner near our elementary school, it’s spectacular!
But the tree by our house that I have been watching this year looks strange. As it began changing its colors I couldn’t quite understand what the deal was, what is WRONG with this tree?? Instead of gracefully changing all over like it normally should, it has big dark blotches of leaves that are so purple they are almost black. I cant drive by it without slowing down and looking so today I stopped and took some pictures. I am fascinated and slightly obsessed with this tree- is it this years drought? Is there something wrong with some of the leaves or branches? Why is it blotchy like that? I have seen it change colors in the past but never like this.
I have tried to look it up online but cant find any explanation and I have started to feel a little bit of a fondness for this unusual tree. If teenage me had a glimpse of what the future held for me and my family, I think I would have looked at that future the same way I look at the tree now. Its not how its SUPPOSED to be. But I hope instead of panicking I would have seen the beauty in it- I mean look at these leaves, they are so different from what one’s expecting, but they are so amazing too.
This year I feel grateful for a little boy who is repeating Kindergarten because of his weak muscle tone- but was SO proud of the heart he drew on my Thanksgiving card all by himself (see all the erased tries? He worked so hard!)
I am thankful for a teenager who is too cool to smile in photos but not too cool to leave his mom a surprise cookie & sweet note. He thinks his life has “no big real problems.” I am taking notes.
I am grateful that Ben thinks he is AWESOME because he is. Today when it was his turn to say what he was grateful for he said “I’m thankful for…..I’m thankful for…..I’m thankful for….for that Jesus gave me a heart.” Me too- his heart is the biggest.
I am grateful my family was healthy today and we were all together- especially because we got this slightly awkward family photo (where no one looks their actual size but I’ll take what I can get!)
The list of things and people I am thankful for is a long one, but tonight I am so grateful that Heavenly Father helps me see the beauty in my life and in my family, what seem like dark patches are actually some of the most unique and wonderful parts.
Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO