Like a yellow quilt, leaves covered the sidewalks. I walked on them, feeling like I'd been given something soft and beautiful to press my feet into.
That was what sidewalks along a street in Durango, Colorado looked like earlier this week. I enjoyed them as I spent a few minutes stretching my legs before it was time for my chiropractor's appointment. The leaves came from several different kinds of trees that had been planted near the sidewalks a few years before.
I don't often see leaves spread out like that. Usually, they're whisked away by the wind. I took my time ambling along the sidewalk, feeling the silky softness of the leaves under my shoes.
It felt like a luxury, taking a little extra time to enjoy a beautiful moment brought to me by nature, free for the asking. I need to remember to take the time more often to immerse myself in the moment.
I still see those golden leaves spreading across the sidewalks like masterfully sewn quilts. They blanket my memory when I need a few seconds to recapture their quiet beauty before I'm off to some other task that demands my attention.
Those leaves gave me a priceless gift that will remain with me for a long time. I may not always remember to take a few extra minutes to enjoy the beauty of nature. But when I need it most, I hope the memory of those leaves will remind me to stop what I'm doing and immerse myself in those beautiful fleeting experiences.