stuck to my shoes

The leaves crunch and stick to the bottoms of our shoes.  They carpet the whole front yard in October, but we refuse to clean them up because they make us feel like we have little golden flakes welcoming us home everyday.  Then the cottonwood goes crazy in November and dumps a foot of leaves in our little backyard.  Those need massive raking because they are heavy and bigger and keep the grass from growing in the Spring. 

In my life there are things I can let stand.  They might be things others wouldn't be able to live with, but in the overall view of things, they are not harmful.  Unfinished laundry, cluttered closets. They can feel familiar and even comforting.  But some big things need constant raking.  Things with deadlines.  School work, paper work, bills. 

The reassessing of daily life can be exhausting.  We plug away at things that need our attention only to go to bed and do it all again the next day.  It's all good.  Sometimes we rake, but often we let the golden flakes stick to our shoes.

25 comments

Anonymous | October 23, 2010 at 3:56 PM

Sometimes I get my big leaves mixed up with the little ones and spend time raking the wrong ones. But I'm learning and at moments like this, I start to think it will turn out okay.

Thank you for the thoughtful post!

Kim | October 23, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Thinking about the raking up all the leaves and doing it again is something I am grateful for everyday. The reason being--I get another chance or in other words another day to draw closer and become more like Heavenly Father.

Great Post :)

Kristina P. | October 23, 2010 at 5:10 PM

I do like those golden flakes. Brilliant post.

wendy | October 23, 2010 at 8:05 PM

I love the sound of crunching leaves as well.
around here.......there is hardly a leaf left on the trees.

Barbaloot | October 23, 2010 at 8:31 PM

I love stepping on crunchy leaves. And I am loving the red door of your home:)

amber_mtmc | October 23, 2010 at 8:47 PM

As I am learning and re-learning to juggle the many responsibilities that come with being a mother and wife, I am slowly learning this lesson of letting some leaves stick to my shoes. It can be painful when I realize I can't be perfect in everything. Or anything, really.

Lara Neves | October 23, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Ah, I always learn so much from your wisdom. Like L.T., I tend to get confused between big and small and put all my efforts into the wrong things. But I am working on it.

Bossy Betty | October 23, 2010 at 9:13 PM

Love it--lots of metaphorical golden leaves around here and now I can celebrate that fact!

Unknown | October 24, 2010 at 12:04 AM

oh i love to allow the leaves to stick... going through life with soundless soles doesn't seem as much fun. ;)

Connie | October 24, 2010 at 7:47 AM

Love this post! I'm with L.T. about getting little leaves confused with the big ones.

Our neighbor never raked leaves or shoveled snow. His philosophy was;
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away!

Rachel Cotterill | October 24, 2010 at 1:04 PM

Beautiful sentiments - and very thought-provoking. I certainly have some things like this.

CiCi | October 24, 2010 at 2:00 PM

More and more I let the leave hang out and do their own thing in my life. Not much raking going on anymore.

Jenny Lynn | October 24, 2010 at 8:50 PM

My yard is starting to have the same golden flake effect happen. I love to rake them into piles, then call the children over to jump in them.

The Way I See It | October 24, 2010 at 10:56 PM

You're such a good writer. I love the visuals I get just from your words. This particular message brought me comfort.

Melanie Jacobson | October 25, 2010 at 12:50 AM

I'm at a happy place where all of our leaves are still muchly green. I don't mind the change of leaves, but it's great to have a respite.

LisAway | October 25, 2010 at 2:15 AM

If all our leaves were always raked we'd hardly know what season it was. I love the idea of having enough leaves so that we can enjoy the season, but raking up the ones that really need to be taken care of for the good of our grass.

Heather | October 25, 2010 at 6:56 AM

Sometimes I get seriously overwhelmed with all of the "little" things that need to get done like the messy closets and clutter everywhere..... I wish there was a solution like using the lawn mower to mow up all the leaves instead of raking.

Heather of the EO | October 25, 2010 at 8:44 AM

oh how I love how you think and write, lady. This was beautiful.

Dedee | October 25, 2010 at 2:20 PM

I love leaves. And I love this post. I need to think about big versus little more often.

Charlotte | October 25, 2010 at 7:40 PM

I just need to keep straight which leaves are which sometimes.

mermaid gallery | October 28, 2010 at 8:11 AM

The leaves just keep falling, the laundry just keeps piling....it is all part of our cycle. I wait for spring flowers, summer heat, fall leaves, and winter rest....isn't it grand! ....love this post!

Mrs4444 | October 28, 2010 at 6:51 PM

I've got a LOT of leaves in my livingroom at the moment....yikes! Love your analogy :)

charrette | October 31, 2010 at 11:37 PM

Oh, my goodness -- I love this post! Especially the last line! Believe it or not, I started a post yesterday with the exact same theme...some things you have to do, some things you don't...but I like the way you said it best.

Luann | November 10, 2010 at 12:10 PM

I have a LOT of little leaves in my life.

Jessica Stock | November 18, 2010 at 7:06 PM

this is so true, and so lovely!