Seth has been working on painting our deck recently, trying to beat the snow. In addition our neighbors trees have dropped a zillion leaves so he has been spending lots of time outside. One day after he had spent a few hours out there (while I was held captive inside by some feisty kids) I asked if he had enjoyed having some time to think. We are in the process of making some big decisions and I thought he probably enjoyed  much needed time to process. He responded that he hadn’t really thought about anything. I think that’s called clearing your head. Unfortunately when I work I tend to process.  Which is good but doesn’t it sound really pleasant to all out clear your head and think about NOTHING. Ladies, can I get an amen. I just don’t know if it’s possible but we can wish. I laughed with my aunt about it this week as we both marveled at the ability of our husbands to think about nothing. It’s a gift of sorts.

This morning I decided to try to chip away at the leaves with Owen while Jackson was at school (another Amen that I got him there and he stayed with those goofy casts) and Seth was back to work.  I had high hopes of clearing my head. I didn’t clear my head but I did have time to think and enjoy the fresh air.  Here are my deep thoughts from the raking and bagging time…

I think it’s a little ironic that we don’t have any trees in the back yard minus two small ones, only one of which drops leaves, and yet we have TONS of leaves. We are daily inheriting our neighbors leaves as the winds blow. My first thought was how annoying that we are spending hours cleaning up after our neighbors trees but then I realized that these trees are trees that provide us much shade and enjoyment. To look out my kitchen window this Fall and see the golden tree out my window and to have a big space in the yard from the hot sun at the end of the summer have been so nice.  I think it’s a little like friendships and community, we benefit from the joys and triumphs in our friends lives but there are also cleanup times and times that friendship can require us to sacrifice time and energy that might seem inconvenient. I hate to ask for help and this morning I had to ask our friend if she could come be with Owen for 30 min while I took Jackson to school.   She didn’t fuss about “raking my leaves” she came on over and was willing to help.  Would I have preferred to have her over for a cup of hot chocolate while the “leaves” were still pretty? yep. Was it much more humbling to have to ask for help when life isn’t looking so dazzling? yep.  Isn’t it funny how we are uncomfortable when our friendships and community work as they should. Asking for help and serving one another!? I want to become more comfortable asking for help and dishing it out when I see others in need.

So thank you 4 bags of leaves for the time to reflect. Even if you didn’t clear my head.  And thank you neighbors for sharing your shade and beautiful Fall colors, even if it means we have lots of work to cleanup the aftermath! It was still worth the enjoyment!