“The maples are really putting on a show, aren’t they?” We played in the falling leaves and marveled at the frost lingering on blades of grass. There was enough of it to make our very own “frost angel.”
I was secretly hoping that the Gingko tree would give us plenty of golden fan-shaped leaves to enjoy as well, but it’s still clinging to its chlorophyll and not letting go. That’s OK, as it’s always so peaceful and soothing to be among trees. It’s quite a view when you’re underneath the canopy, looking up at the branches, the leaves, and the clear blue sky. The children giggled when the leaves landed softly on our coats, and our faces, giving us “kisses.”
Our walkabouts remind me of the Japanese art form shinrin-yoku “forest bathing.” It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch. By opening our senses, we bridge the gap between us and the natural world.
As the children rolled down the hill, laughing and shouting with joy, Miss Amanda and I looked at each other and smiled. “This is so good for them.”
This is so good for us.
This is so good for the whole planet.
