returning

so, i visited my hometown this past weekend. i've been gone for over a month now and i decided to visit the ol' stompin' grounds of fletcher and a-ville. it was good to be with my family again. really, nothing has changed except that maybe i love them a little more. there's nothing like a little distance to make you love people you already love a little bit more.

driving home this evening, i was even more thankful that i had the opportunity to live in western north carolina. although the peak color for the leaves was 2 weekends ago, the color was still hanging on. the sunset cast a pinkish hue on the mountains. as i was whizzing by in my car, i caught glimpses of fiery red leaves, bursts of yellow leaves and then trees that had leaves with multi colors. the dead leaves were interspersed with the live ones and it reminds me of life. all of the leaves are going to wither and die eventually-- i realize that i need to appreciate them while they're living. the color of the leaves is a sign of their end that is to come soon, but there's hope for new life and not very long from now. winter is only a season that is to be endured. and even winter serves a purpose for these trees.

so, that's what i'll end on tonight. i'm appreciating the life/lives around me now. i'm not waiting.