The Wise Tree
Learning to embrace the seasons of life
“Beauty without seasons loses its splendor”
Oh how I hated this day as a little guy. I dreaded it from the moment the season began. I knew it would come just like it did every year. What day was I dreading? The day I came home from school to a house that was stark and naked. All the bright colored decorations and “night time magic” lights we’re all packed away for another season.
Yes I know! All you who “it’s January 1 and the tree must be packed away”, are wondering if you heard correctly!
For as long as I can remember light has had a profound impact on me. In fact, I never hated the time change like most people, because to me it meant a longer time of the day to enjoy the glow of lights. To this day any space that I have anything to do with creating, it will have some form of light as a prominent part. If you visit the Snow Goose Bed & Breakfast or the ADK TRAIL INN, light will play a role in your experience. I would go so far as to say that part of the reason I am alive is to create an expression of light that warms the soul.
So today as I undecorated my very dried out Christmas tree, I once again felt that familiar sadness. But it was tempered with the wisdom of living a few years. I’ve come to deeply appreciate the role of seasons in our lives. So often I’ve realized that as much as we don’t like change, without it much of the splendor and beauty of that season is lost.
Full disclosure, there’s still are a lot of lights decorating the Snow Goose… In fact, to the undiscerning eye, many would say we are still decorated for Christmas! Three pine trees glowing with warm white lights still remain in our home. Outside there is a towering pine tree glowing with white and red lights. The front of the house has pine garland with lights and on the back porch is a glowing tree waiting tomorrow’s promised snow.
But make no mistake these are not Christmas decorations! They are winter decorations! They are embracing the season that is still upon us. But even these trees and lights will eventually be packed away, making way for a new season’s lights glow.
I write all this just in case somebody needs a reminder today. Oh, it may not be sadness at taking your Christmas tree down. Quite possibly that’s been done for a few weeks now. But it could be that you were feeling of sadness at a change that is in your life. The end of a season. So I’ll leave you with the words that my beautiful tree that spent its short life for our beauty and joy, taught me today.
“Beauty without seasons loses its splendor”…
May you know the joy and growth that can only be found, by embracing the seasons of life!
Love & Blessings!
Wayne