One Thousand Hands

All golden green and glorious, let us take a moment to consider the sugar maple that shades us during the afternoon heat. Looking up, you’ll notice that the leaves on the top of the tree are smaller and lighter in color than those on the bottom, which are a darker shade of green. As you look past the leaves, catching a glimpse of chickadees and squirrels, something magical is happening away from our eyesight. While absorbing sunlight and buzzing electrons along to each leaf, cell to cell, she is absorbing close to eight thousand gallons of water. 

For comparison, twenty-five humans need to drink that same amount, in a year. By the end of July, she’s converting all the carbon dioxide into sucrose so that she may survive the winter ahead. This season’s leaves have already done their work, ready to be released for raking into crunchy piles. All this happens—whether we notice it or not. 

As I read about this cycle for the tree, it got me thinking about my own cycle of growing, absorbing, releasing, and hibernating. Studying plant life often gives me comfort, and quiets me to listen to the deeper wisdom of nature. Knowing that the trees themselves spend energy to absorb the summer sunlight gives me permission to do the same. Watching the leaves develop for a season reminds me to let new things grow, appreciating their unique beauty, cell by cell. Listening to the leaves rustle reminds me of thousands of hands applauding, as if nature herself is cheering on the flourishing of all things. 

What might you be invited to absorb this season?  Take it all in. It is for your good. 

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at Neighborhood.
And here’s a quick reminder—there will be no service on July 2. 

Happy Summer! 
Nikki Sauter