This fall I have been able to appreciate the beauty of nature as I admire the leaves changing color. Driving to work one morning, I was fully mesmerized by the beauty of the fall foliage. It was a sunny day with beautiful blue skies and the colors of the leaves were impressive.

Driving home that evening I continued to enjoy the foliage and realized that I have no recollection of the fall foliage last year. I wondered if it was just not as nice, then I realized that I was in such a dark place which would have prevented me from appreciating the beauty. Immediately, I remembered the words of encouragement that a friend told me soon after David died. She assured me that although everything is so dark now that one day I will notice that the sky is blue again and also the blooming flowers.

I am thankful that I can see the beauty of nature again. I am thankful that while grief is everlasting, this fall it did not overpower me by preventing me from enjoying the beauty in life.