Autumn of Life

The autumn leaves can dazzle us with their magnificent colors:
deep red, purple, yellow, gold, bronze,
in countless variations and combinations.

Then, shortly after having shown their unspeakable beauty,
they fall to the ground and die.

The barren trees remind us that winter is near.
Likewise, the autumn of life has potential to be very colourful:
wisdom, humor, care, patience, and joy
may bloom splendidly just before we fall to the ground and die.

As we look at the barren trees and remember our dead,
let us be grateful for the beauty we saw them
and wait hopefully for a new spring.

~ Henry Nouwen