The Leaf That Mocked Me.

So I’m driving home tonight and there is a yellow leaf sitting in my windshield wipers. It looks as if it was strategically placed in order to prolong it’s ending life. Safe and secure, proud of itself for the grip it has taken. My hand moves quicker than my brain, and please don’t think I am morbid, but I am reaching for my windshield wipers before I even realize I am about to crush it’s yellow hopes and dreams of holding on just a little longer. As I take my first vicious strike I find myself thinking “let’s get rid of this leaf!... why is it even there?... was I even parked under a tree?... I can’t remember.” First strike and no movement from the leaf. Failure gets the best of me and I take my second strike with more force. Yellow and proud, it is as if it is laughing at my frustration with failure. Does this leaf know me? He sticks around to laugh in my face. Then, before another thought consumes my mind or before I take a third strike he dances off and I feel a bit jealous of how much control he has of his life.
Now I find myself coming to a stop as there is a Mom and son crossing the street hand-in-hand. I look at them and make eye-contact with the mom first. She waves thankfully at me for stopping and attempting to keep their lives safe. Then my gaze shifts and I meet the eyes of the adorable little boy who is mimicking his mom, arm stretched out toward me. I can’t help but wave at him and he moves a little slower, almost pausing in the street to smile as big as he knows possible and wave back.
As I drive on I can feel a tightness in my cheeks, looking in the rearview mirror I see a large, dorky smile has spread from ear to ear. In this moment, genuine happiness, joy. Not that I am normally unhappy or bitter, but it was so unexpected. Smiling as the journey continues. Joyful, content, balanced. My mind is pulled back to that yellow leaf, like he is tapping on my shoulder whispering, “I had a lesson for you my dear.”
If we don’t take the time to look at something, we may never even notice that it’s there. Focus on the beauty in something as simple as a leaf. Appreciation is key. Appreciate the people crossing the street. Appreciate the fallen leaves. Appreciate movement. This means that we should recognize the full worth of everything. Indulge in a deep breath and appreciate it. Breath keeps us alive.