The Autumn Trees

For all of my life, my favorite season has always been autumn. I have always loved the changing trees and the many colors that come along with the season. I have noticed in my years living in Texas that, while some trees change color, many do not. I have gotten rather used to the unchanging leaves in our area and have accepted the few I do see, but this year, it was different. 

The heavy rain at the end of summer led to an explosion of fall trees in Fort Worth this year, and it has been a joy to see. Because of this, I decided to take more walks this fall season so that I could really capture and enjoy the fall leaves while I could. On these walks, I noticed that many of the leaves this season were deep red and orange colors, compared to the yellow leaves that are usually present in the area. These colors fill the neighborhoods surrounding our campus and create a colorful blanket on our city. 

                 

Looking at the trees and leaves, I was reminded of Stegner's quote that mentions how "there are some things nature can do for us". For me, this is one of those things that nature does. While I am sure his quote was directed more at the literal things nature can do, I see the changing leaves as something nature does for my happiness. It makes me feel at peace and at home when I am surrounded by the colors of fall, and I wish that everyone across the globe could experience this phenomenon. 

I believe the four seasons are therapeutic as they provide us with a new way of life during the course of the year. As discussed, the colors of the fall can provide an appreciation for the beauty of nature as the leaves change, winter provides a space for appreciating nature from afar, spring allows us to get back outside and experience the nature we missed, and summer is a time to reflect on the seasons we just experienced. 

                

I believe these trees are a strong reminder of how present nature truly is around us and now easy it is for us to enjoy it if we just take the time to look. I also think that in our case, in particular, these surprise colored leaves are a good reminder to appreciate it while you can, because you never know when there is an aspect of nature you may never see again. While I hope to see these trees with each and every fall that rolls around, I will never take for granted a chance to see the colors of autumn trees.