Grateful for Color

Expat Blog Challenge:  November

"Something I'm Particularly Grateful For"

When November's expat blog challenge appeared in my inbox, I knew immediately what I wanted the subject of my post to be.  This year the fall season has been a challenging one for our family.  In the midst of the anxiety, I am thankful for the autumns colors that have surrounded us in our local neighborhood, parklands, and roadways. I haven't always had my camera along when I have spotted pleasing color combinations, nor has it always been possible to pull over and attempt to capture the moment, but I have managed to collect a handful of photos for my library.  Here are a few of them.

Sometimes the colors burst upon the eyes with unmistakeable brilliance.  At the intersection of a four-way stop near our house, there is a collection of bushes that have glowed red for several weeks against a background of yellow sycamores and rich evergreens.  The beauty of this juxtaposition has turned a frustrating intersection into a place that I anticipate each day.  I liken these combinations of vivid color to the joy-filled days when all four kids arrive home happy from school, or when I receive two birthday packages in one week from Australia.  

Other times the color is harder to detect.  A first glance through the trees might reveal only dull grays and browns.  It might be necessary to step off the path, to peer around corners or trunks of trees to find that bit of red or deep yellow that the eyes seek.  But when it happens, how beautiful is that tiny berry or leaf.  This makes me think of the days when everyone in our household is struggling--when R wants nothing more than to return to Melbourne, when one child decides that she needs to change schools, another one has not been eating or sleeping properly for weeks, and a third declares through sobs that he has had yet another "horrible, miserable, no good, very bad day."  At these moments I struggle to find a bronze lining, let alone a silver one.  Then comes a gleam of hope, perhaps in the form of an unexpected text from a friend, or a phone call from a grandmother who sympathetically listens while I pour out my frustrations.  

The brief bursts of beauty, whether they be in the form of rich crimson against a blackened tree trunk, or a friendly message from a far away friend on a melancholy afternoon, provide joy and hope in the midst of dull and dark passages.  They impart courage to persevere just when it has begun to seem impossible.  For all of them, but especially this month for color, I am grateful.

Comments

[Margery Zeller]

I look forward to your posts, Christie, for the way you meld your thoughts and photos...always insight, authentic, inspiring. You are a gifted writer and photographer! Thank you for sharing your talents. :-)

[Christie]

Thank you so much for those very kind words, Margery. They were much appreciated today.

[Cristin]

Gorgeous images, and thank goodness for gifts like this from nature when we need a moment of grace and perspective.

[Christie]

Grace and perspective--I am in need of both of those right now!

[Shanda]

I agree with Margery. Your blog is special. Praying that you and the family are okay.
I drove to Community Bible Study today and passed by a most beautiful bright red tree. I think it was a Japanese Maple (it was def. an ornamental tree) in someone's yard. Sometimes when the sun shines through colorful leaves it gives me a thrill of delight. HUGS.

[Marilyn Gooey]

Hi christie, What wonderfull colours in the trees in your part of the worldI continue as always to read your blog , this is the first time I have commented . You give so much pleasure in your writng & the amazing photographs. we continue to pray for you & family .

[Christie]

Marilyn, It was so nice to get a comment from you today. I have probably written too many posts about the changing leaves, but I'm glad you have enjoyed seeing our trees. We think of you often with fond thoughts.