It’s been a windy day – perfect for sitting by the window and pretending to read – perfect for neglecting my book – perfect for watching one of last year’s leaves trip about the yard. The winter snows seem not to have damaged it. It must have been tucked among the branches of a pine while over-layers of white protected it from blizzards and storms. Now April winds have freed it for one last hurrah. It is aged with tattered edges but is still so lovely as it dances across the grass. It leaps high into the air only to drift with grace tumbling to earth. Its pirouettes are magnificent. Twirling and bowing it thanks the pines for their appreciative applause. It is no longer a pretty leaf. Pretty has been replaced with beauty. Its loveliness is grace and style.
Everyone deserves one last dance. How easy it is to look at someone as if their day is over, their prime was yesterday. We think the world has passed them by because they have logged many miles. Behind those fading eyes is a lifetime of understanding. This week while changing classes I encountered a small gentleman with a cane. He was barely five feet tall. As we chatted I discovered he was a physics professor. He was 86 years old. I didn’t ask him when he was going to retire. I knew better as I saw the spark in his eyes when a coed sauntered by. He was having his last dance.
I love being a Christian. Jesus promises us a dance card that can never be full so put on your shoes.
Paraphrasing Robert Frost – One could do worse than being an old dancing leaf.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 25, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org