Almost sixteen years ago, when my Mom was in the hospital and literally on her death bed, the leaves were changing. It was the end of the Fall season, and there were leaves scattered all over the place: the streets, parking lots, and the roof tops of buildings.

I was with my Father, on the way to visit my Mom, and he parked the car in the hospital parking lot. It was an extremely hard and difficult time for my whole family.

As we were getting out of the car, my Dad stopped for a moment, and started picking up leaves. Not just one leaf, but many. Yellow leaves. Orange leaves. Red leaves.

He picked an assortment of colors and shapes, as I stood and watched. I didn’t understand why he was doing this, and was impatient.

“What are you doing?” I asked him. I was anxious and didn’t want to waste time picking up leaves. I wanted to get upstairs to my Mom’s room.

“It will just take a few moments,” he said, his hands full with beautiful leaves, “I want to show your Mom these.”

Confused as to why my Mom would want to see leaves, worrying that my Dad was close to the edge, I just stood there and watched. It was a difficult time for all of us, and if he wanted to gather leaves, then who was I to stop him?

We finally went into the hospital, rode the elevator up to her room, and my Father immediately sat by my Mom’s bedside.

“Look at these beautiful leaves,” he said to her, “Aren’t they something?” He proceeded to show her each one, slowly and carefully, discussing the vibrant colors and shapes. She nodded and smiled. She liked what she was seeing.

It’s taken me a long time to fully understand the sacredness of that moment. My Father and I have never discussed it, although I’m sure we will after he reads this.  It happened in an instant, and I’m blessed to have witnessed it. He took the time, at one of the hardest moments in his life, to notice the beauty that was around him.

To be able to open your eyes and see the beauty all around you, even in your darkest hour, is a true gift.

I remembered this today on my walk, when I did my best to notice and enjoy all the exquisiteness in my surroundings. I hope you open your eyes to your surroundings, regardless of what you have going on in your life.

Take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, always.

Find meaning each day,

Dara