Fall Burns

If you are from the rural or even semi-rural you know that the end of fall is typically not only a time of Thanksgiving but one where you take the piles and piles and piles of leaves and burn them. This cycle of death is fantastic life lesson if you take a minute to look.

For me growing up, fall was the one time we didn't mind helping dad in the yard. It wasn't hot, and our job was simply to help rake. Well okay, more to jump in the HUGE piles that my father would make for us. Some feel that fall heralds the season of death. Trees loose their leaves, and at best everything turns brown and seemingly lifeless. 

Back before the age of suburbs and 24/7 grocery stores, people didn't bag their lawn refuse in the fall from the trimming and leaves falling. Nope, they burned them. Hell, my grandparents had a burn pile in a suburb until the mid-80s. The trees that used to laud over us and provide much needed shade in summer now were simple skeletons. Their leaves lying in piles. 

This last hurrah in the leaves was a perfect time to remember what the leaves "saw" over the warmer months.  A natural hommage that the Lord provides that gives us one last opportunity to play and enjoy what he gave us. Take the time when raking the leaves to enjoy them, think about the fun you had when they were in their full and green and to give thanks for the memories that He made possible.

In November we remember our honored dead. Many of those that I enjoyed many a leave pile are now passed. Having lost my Grandparents, and my father I take this time working in the yard to remember all of our dead who have gone on before us with this simple prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May the souls of the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

Amen