Little Tree, Little Tree, Do You See Me?

The first sign of fall.

Every year, there is one, little tree that sits quietly amongst dozens and dozens of other tall, beautiful trees as far as the eyes can see from my backyard that is the first to changes its colors. The picture doesn’t do it justice, but it has beautiful hues of red, orange and yellows. I woke up this morning and saw it out of the kitchen window.

And I immediately got excited. I felt like I just saw a clue.

A hint.

A little whisper from nature delivering a sign to whomever is able to slow down enough and catch it.

This little tree is whispering to those who notice him sitting quietly under all the other sky-scraping trees as far as the eyes can see that the weather will soon cool down from the sticky, humid heat and be replaced with cool, crisp air that will fill our nostrils with a slight bite when we first step out of the front door and take a deep breath in early morning hours as we head out on our way to work and school.

It lets us know that the mosquitos and bees will soon disappear for the Winter, providing a much needed relief for those who are plagued by having to share the summer with them. (Peace out and a ‘buh-bye’.)

This little tree quietly illuminates that pumpkin spiced lattes will soon replace the traditional coffee in many travel mugs and fill the aroma of bakeries and eateries all around with its warm, spicy scent. It also means that from pumpkin pie to pumpkin cheesecake and even pumpkin fudge, ‘pumpkin-everything’ will soon makes its way to a dessert tray near you.

Parents will bundle their little ones with jackets that zip up all they way to their little, chubby faces to keep them snug and warm. While their cheeks are tinted pink from the cold, crisp air, excited squeals and laughter of happiness and joy will escape their care-free spirit as they enjoy themselves on hay rides and pumpkin patches from the local farm or County Fair.

Yes, this little tree doesn’t really stand out amongst all the other mighty trees that tower in comparison around it, but it is the first of the trees each year to quietly send a sign to anyone who is paying attention that a change in nature is coming.