The Only Constant

Have you ever noticed that different types of trees shed their leaves in different ways when the seasons change?

Maples are some of the most glorious ones — their fiery hues reminding me of the pumpkin that we set out in the sea of crunchy brown for the squirrels to munch on; their yellow turning from a vibrant bike vest yellow to a sad overripened banana in need of a smoothie fix.

Then, there are the elegant gingko trees, which I’ve learned shed all of their leaves at once. On some unspoken day, if you happen to look left or right depending on your direction of travel, you see that the historic townhouses in DC take on a dazzling veil of yellow.

Then there is the tree in my front yard, which prefers a more simple approach. The leaves that change yellow fall. The ones that are still green, do not.

Each time that winter approaches, I become increasingly aware of the fact that the seasons do change. As much as I look for stability, routine, and sameness in my daily routine, I’m also reminded of how much things do change on a regular basis. How one day, you wake up, and suddenly, you have to put on a thicker coat.