Live like an evergreen. Die like a deciduous.

I have always been a lover of all things nature. And the colors of Fall leaves seem to reveal the height of nature’s beauty. Equally as striking to me as the boldness of the colors is the harsh truth behind this seasonal rhythm: the colors are evidence of impending death. What seems as colorful as life is actually as gray as death. The leaves grow in color as they begin to die and fall off the tree; their only source of life.

I don’t mean to dampen your or my enjoyment of Fall, but I think we all stand to learn something here. Nature is often a great teacher as much as she is a great provider. If we are careful to pay attention - and slow down long enough to look up - I think we will notice earth-shattering realities about life and who we are as humans.

Before I share the lessons this truth has taught me, let me share the unlikely guide that led me there: evergreens. Yep, strange right? Evergreens taught me life principles through their sibling, the deciduous (or conifer trees - same thing - I like the word deciduous better).

Perhaps a poem I wrote after visiting the majestic mountains of Western Virginia in September 2021 with my girls can best communicate my point:

EVERGREENS

No one travels far and wide

To see the Evergreens in Fall.

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Their limited shades of green

Their oft-overlooked heights and boring similarities

Or strange textures of bark, pesky pine cones, and poky needles.

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But as my soul wanders more and more through the wilderness,

I wonder if we could be more fascinated with them than we are?

If we can learn from them. If they have things to teach us and show us about life,

perseverance, resilience, resolve, presence, and faithfulness.

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Who’s colors remain bold and true no matter the season?

Who’s heights stand tall when others wilt in Winter?

Who’s leaves remain vibrant and present against a backdrop of colorless, naked trees?

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Who’s presence gives life to the forest, shape to the mountains,

shade to the earth and its beasts,

meaning to the woods, hope to the fog,

and character and magic to the idea of wilderness?

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Evergreens.

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See and savor the colors of Fall.

But don’t forget to behold the Evergreens in every season.

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Evergreens barely change. Their perseverance of presence and beauty through the changes and challenges each season brings is awesome. And as I took a nature walk with my girls through the Fall mountains of Western Virginia, it dawned on me as I looked up: what a stark but beautiful contrast evergreens are from deciduous trees.