He Who Hugs Trees

Today is a beautiful day in Washington D.C., a warm and sunny 73 degrees, with enough of a breeze to remind you that it may be the last of its kind for a long time. The leaves on the trees are falling, some leaves changing colors to match the brick tone of the Capitol Hill row home to which they belong. The whole scene feels like a memory, and throughout the days of rain, occassionally, Autumn brings you a gift like today.

It is on a day like today that you understand the sentiments of a tree-hugger. You see, trees have a certain way of celebrating life in a way which humans strive their whole lives to understand. In the fall, the tree begins to shut off its life force to the leaves, causing them to turn murads of colors before dropping off and dying, to decay as part of the soil.

In this way, trees have a glorious understanding of the seasons. Before dying, they illuminate with color, bringing their best show for the last days, the last days before the long winter cold. If only we could learn to do so. If only we could learn that when times are about to get cold, we shouldn't put out as little energy as required, but rather, we should put our full force and full beauty behind into the days ahead. Because even though there may be a period that we have no leaves, no sun, and no warmth, we have the guarantee of spring.