We were out walking today in the Surrey Hills; it was a beautiful, sunny late autumn / early winter’s day.  A chilly wind was blowing in, making it feel much colder than the 7°C the thermometer said.  The views were lovely, with everything showing up the most vivid colours in the very directional light we get at this time of year.  Then my wife noticed that this birch was already showing buds.  It seems amazing to me even before winter has even tightened its grip, the promise of spring is there to be seen.

I wonder how many of us, if we took the time to look, would find verdant signs of promise, of new growth amidst the death of the old stuff we need to let go of….

“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face.”   John Donne

“Falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly”   John Bailey