An Autumn Afternoon

On Sunday afternoon while the rest of the family were about their various obligations I decided to take in the fall foliage at the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton. I knew I could walk among its trees and climb its clock tower for a view of the surrounding area. If I lucked out I would also catch a glimpse of the eagles that nest in the park that lies along the Great Miami River.

I made my way through the park snapping photos of various trees and the natural settings around the park. To my disappointment I did not eye an eagle. I climbed the clock tower and though I appreciated the view I did not find it particularly awe inspiring. I descended the tower, took a few more photos and headed to the parking lot.

I had parked under a row of maple trees adorned gloriously in shimmering red leaves. After having visited the park I nearly snickered to myself as I concluded that the most fabulous fall foliage ended up there in the parking lot! So I decided to take my time under the canopy of the nearest maple tree. I took note of how the light shown through and how the wind gently rustled the leaves. And then I spotted something entirely by chance—the smallest of little beetles perched in the sunlight on a leaf. It quickly gained my full attention. I watched it intently and I moved about to attempt to capture a good photo of it. I felt amused, amazed and awed by it and the moment I found myself in.

I realized later how my full attention had settled on that tiny insect to the point that it was as if it was just me and it in the world. It didn’t take me much longer to realize what a gift that beetle had become to me. In the midst of so much on my mind and so much happening in this world I was able for a moment to just be—the beetle, the maple, the wind and me all surrounded and all infused by the glory of an autumn afternoon.

I had gone looking for beauty and for that perfect fall photo. I had assumed, wrongly, that I would find it in the park or up on the clock tower and not in the parking lot. But, thanks be to God, I looked up as I neared my car to see that beetle sitting just so on a glorious but temporal leaf. For that moment under that tree with the smallest of creatures I am thankful. Long after the leaves are gone I am sure I will still be grateful for the grace of that day.