150: The Fall

This morning my friend Sue pulled me over as we were leaving an event.

She said in the most excited tone, “Sean! I’ve got you something! It was really expensive! And I want you to have it!” As I walked towards the door of her car she pulled something off the passenger seat and then, with an outstretched arm, she handed me this leaf.

Now, to know Sue is to know a woman of great generosity, warmth, and compassion. She has offered me support and encouragement since she learned of my unfolding journey around Day 16.

As a matter of fact, in mid-December when I packed everything into the van and removed it from Our home, Sue invited me over, made me lunch, and gave me butter bread for the road. As we sat in the kitchen she told me the benefit of her experience: “Be patient. Give © time. And get your house in order. If © loves you – and does the work – she will talk to you.”

It was sound, loving, and non-judgemental advice.

As I walked out the door she gave me a hug, and excitedly pulled a slip of paper off her refrigerator, pushing it into my hand as I stumbled towards the door.

It read, “Be not the slave of your own past – plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.”

I carry it everywhere.

Therefore, when she handed me this maple leaf it immediately resonated with me. I knew it represents something important. It symbolizes everything I’ve experienced over the last several years.

I had a spring with ©.

I had a summer with her.

Over the last 10 months, I’ve had a fall (both literally and symbolically). And now I need to let go of the beautiful sorrow and sadness that has been hanging on. I need to drop the things that have served their purpose…

I need to do so, so that I might be able to move through my winter and return renewed in the spring. I need to do so, so that I might nourish a new spirit and a new life.