On Columbus Day, my husband and I spent a wonderful day just driving around and enjoying the autumn scenery. I don’t know about you, but I seem to have an unusual sensitivity to the beauty in nature, and was once again overwhelmed by the beauty of the bright white and yellow streaks of sun streaming down through the white puffy clouds. Such a sight always encourages me as if reinforcing the fact that yes, there are clouds, and yes there may be rain, but that sun is still up there in the sky, overseeing it all, just waiting to break through and make things better. As an added visual treat, the sun shone so brightly on the tapestry of peak autumn leaves: oranges, reds and yellows, that I felt a need to wear my sunglasses, but with them on I would not be able to fully appreciate the effect of the over-the-top, gasp inducing colors. No photo, piece of artwork or beautifully sung song could have replicated the intensity of happiness that brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.
My husband and I sat, holding hands as he drove. There was no need to say anything. We were at peace, pleased to have such a respite after a hectic week of raising children and dealing with problems. We were in our own beautiful bubble, cell phones turned off so as not to ruin the interlude. It was a wonderful day!
Upon pulling into the driveway of our home, I spotted the two small maple trees which Marie had planted a few years ago. She had excitedly dug them up when they were fragile saplings with broken branches, and planted one on each side of the driveway. She had added gravel at the base of each, and attached a tall, straight, thin stick to keep them growing upright. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed them before. I had NOTICED them, of course, but I had never really SEEN them. They had grown to be about four feet tall, straight and strong. My breath stuck in my throat as the brilliant, bright yellow leaves danced happily in the gentle breeze. They were a growing metaphor for my daughter, blossoming and beautiful and holding the promise of a bright future in their little yellow leaves. Despite once being fragile and broken, they would grow tall and amazing and fit perfectly in this world, reassuring me that my daughter, who was also once fragile and broken, would grow tall and amazing and fit perfectly in this world.
For Sentimental, Sappy Souls
October 16, 2013
Category:
ADHD, adoption, amazing, angel, autism, child abuse, Children, church, deaf, deaf children, deaf/blind, deafness, disabilities, disability, disabled, family, foster care, God, happy, hard of hearing, hearing impaired, joy, kids, life, love, parenting, PTSD, RAD, reactive attachment disorder, special education, spiritual, trauma, Uncategorized
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Raising 5 Kids With Disabilities and Remaining Sane Blog 
Comments on: "For Sentimental, Sappy Souls" (44)
Beautiful post. Thank you.
Thank you for reading!
Yes beautifully written.
thank goodness you take the time to savor those moments together…so important to just be together and as you said, not talk, no need, the beauty you can take in together makes all the difference. thanks for your post….
This is lovely. And I don’t see anything sentimental or sappy about it: just warmth, love, and wisdom.
Thank you!
What a beautiful metaphor for your daughter
My precious daughter was kidnapped (effectively) when she was a few weeks old. 15 years later we met again. She wanted her daddy. Rather than sit in the dark, life had to go on and the fact she showed back up was a light than no one else can extinguish,
And yesterday I found out I got SSDI for severe anxiety disorder.
I have such empathy for the pain and anguish you have been through. I hope you can find some peace…
The peace is evident everywhere and ironically just before my daughter found me,, I saw the movie with Amanda Bynes… she was searching for her dad too. That is creepy good.. right?
whenever I come here to read, I find such encouragement 🙂
How totally true!!!! thumbs up with a reverse zabi dah,, whatever that means
I find that the simplest things like a drive on a beautiful fall afternoon and holding hands with someone you love are among the most special things in life, and there is nothing more beautiful than nature’s offerings. So glad that you could experience all of these things!
I totally agree!
Isn’t it wonderful to really see what was there all along? Lovely post.
Thank you!
so glad you had such a wonderful day filled with love =) you deserve it!
beautiful post it made me smile!
take care x0
This is doubly beautiful! First your beautiful interlude as a couple and then your beautiful metaphor! These are good memories to hang onto for cloudy, dreary days!
That was beautiful!!
What a beautiful post!
Your blog is very inspiring! I have nominated you for the Versitile Blogger award because of many of your postings. Check it out here. http://christineconfehr.com/2013/10/18/the-versatile-blogger-award-nomination/
It seems we’ve been doing a lot of driving lately and each day there is more color. Only God could paint such beauty.
That’s what I think, too! I am always overwhelmed spiritually.
As usual your post brought a tear to my eye with a kind of traveling joy. Because I’m from Hawai’i I haven’t experienced seasonal changes until I recently moved to upcountry Maui. It apparently is cold enough at the 3000 ft. level so that we will have an amazing spring when the thousands of Jacaranda trees burst into purple bloom. I can’t wait! They will remind me of my sister who died at age 26 in a hang-gliding accident on Maui 40 yrs. ago. She chose the colors off her kite purple the Jacaranda blossoms, green for the leave and blue for the sky that peeked through the tree. So, come spring, she will show her colors and surround me again.
Oh…..how awesome it will be in the spring for you!
Beautiful post. Thank you.
Thank you for reading…
What a beautiful post! It’s nice to be able to look around in find the beauty that surrounds us. Good for you for being able to enjoy it.
What a lovely reflection! It makes me pine to see the leaves change colors. We don’t get much fall color change here.
Very sweet….I so appreciate those moments of shared silence in a relationship; both in tune, no need to express it vocally. Good for the two of you!
That post was as beautiful as the scenery it depicted. If not more. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!
Lovely. And thanks for liking a recent post of mine, too. All best wishes, leaves and trees….Elana
Lovely 🙂
What a beautiful day the two of you shared, and what insights! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Hi Linda. I just started following your blog. I noticed you read my post and I immediately read some of yours. I am profoundly touched with your beautiful view of life and your adventures with your children. All people should share your outlook and optimism. Thank you for opening these doors and letting us come in.
Thank you so much for joining me and for your kind words.
Loved this post! Life is filled with metaphors and anecdotes that convey deeper meaning, isn’t it? And I never grow weary of the calming, restorative balm of nature. (That’s my 7s shining, of course. 🙂 )
Beautiful story. We are members of a church that believes in adoption, with several families adopting from China, Africa and Afghanistan – mostly special needs children. How wonderful it is to see them blossom under the loving, Christ-like parentage. Bless you!!
What a wonderful church to belong to!!!
Thank you for reading our blog post about beginning our journey of special needs. As I read your blog, I couldn’t help say out loud, WOW, you have seen and experienced much! I really appreciate the perspective you share and the sense of humor you added to your posts. I look forward to enjoying life with our baby… and laughing along the way!
Welcome!
What a beautiful piece of writing. Your comparison of the maples to your daughter’s growth is so poignant and touching. You have a new follower in me. 🙂