My friend, the tree

There is a magnificent tree outside our back porch.  It’s dressed beautifully for summer in mint green leaves, providing shade and comfort from the hot sun. I adore sitting on my back porch and enjoying the mornings with my friend, the tree. As I sip my coffee, I feel in touch with the beauty of nature and the many offerings that come with each day.

Soon after the sun sets, my husband and I relax on the back porch sipping cocktails or coffee and inhaling the soft summer breeze. In the early evening, the fireflies join us and put on their show. They flit in between the branches, dance on the leaves, and show off their acrobatic skills. Much to our delight, the little insects love the tree as much as we do.  Perhaps, they know they’re being watched and come back time and time again; giving the tree the appearance of a Christmas tree with blinking mini lights. It’s a sight to behold.

At the beginning of the fall season, the tree dresses in a warm shade of yellow. A very welcoming color that gives us a hint of what’s to come. Ah, the colors of fall are so remarkable as they travel from tree to tree creating a spectacular display.  Glorious hues of amber, burnt orange, rich magenta, and golden brown enrich the landscape with nature’s best show. My tree has changed once again into its finest fall colors.

By the way, fall is my favorite time of the year and has always etched my life with cheer. The feeling is even more so, now that I live in an area where there are noticeable changes in the seasons.

Along with the fall season come fall festivals. Oh, how I love this time of the year with its cool crisp air filled with wondrous aromas, and pumpkins are everywhere. Yes, pumpkins are some of my favorite people, um I mean things. They come in all sizes and shapes and remind me of simpler times in life. I could easily lose myself in a pumpkin patch and dream of pumpkin lattes and pumpkin pie.

Unfortunately, fall doesn’t last forever. I can’t expect my life to always be filled with beautiful leaves and aromatic scents, and my friend the tree is about to face this same reality. My tree is shedding its wardrobe of glorious colors as the leaves fall softly to the ground. The tree is undressed and bare and has taken on a skeletal appearance.  Sort of creepy and reminds me of scary nightmares I had as a child. Its long gnarly branches reach out in many directions like they want to grab me and pull me in. Thankfully, I don’t have those ugly dreams anymore. I am a big girl now, you know.

But, the tree looks sad and dreary, and I actually feel sorry for it. I know this is silly but it’s true. It’s obvious this is the work of mother nature.  I know it, you know it, so no surprise.  Mother nature can be downright cantankerous and she doesn’t seem to be at all concerned about her moodiness. Well, enough said because I don’t want to upset her.

Perhaps, I’m not in the majority, but I welcome the arrival of winter. I adore cold weather because I lived in Florida most of my life and find constant hot weather, not to my liking. As much as I like winter, it can be a mixed bag of good and bad. It is a season full of beauty as softly falling snow covers the ground in dazzling white. The tree is dressed in white for the occasion and takes on a new role with an inviting glow.

There is the upside of winter which its sparkling beauty can bring a lift to my mood and urge on my appreciation for mother nature.  Then there is the downside with long periods of grey skies, ice and sleet, and deteriorating conditions. No matter what the season, weather can be a concerning cause of destruction. Yes, mother nature can be two-faced, no doubt.

I have to admit I become bored easily and even though I like the winter season, the time has come to paint a new picture. I have adopted the outside of my back porch as a mural, which I can’t physically change, but I sure can add mental brush strokes to enlighten my mood. Yes, and my tree takes on a new attitude, as well. Adorned with lovely pink buds, the tree appears to be blushing, and once again the wardrobe change is a gorgeous display.

My friend, the tree is beautiful and serene right now with just a slight wind fluttering its leaves. It seems to be smiling and happy. My husband and I have a date tonight, where we will be sitting on the back porch, sipping coffee or cocktails and enjoying our friend, the tree.

-Eugenia

Original publication on beBee – My friend, the tree