Letting go isn’t always so easy
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Have you noticed how stunning the fall colors are this year? A plethora of factors affect the autumn hues, making some years rather drab and others, like this one, pop with kaleidoscope vibrancy. Every day I’ve stood in awe at the splendor.
After the horrific waters of Hurricane Helene, we’ve had many weeks of beautiful weather, and I have spent a lot of those days outside, enjoying the brilliant reds, yellows and oranges adorning roadsides and bespeckling mountain tops.
But for those still struggling in the aftermath of the hurricane, this scenic time of year may feel disorienting. The unique autumn rainbows of the Blue Ridge usually serve as backdrops for Western North Carolina’s busiest time of year and an economic surge for businesses, both large and small.
This year is much different.
Instead of a bustling River Arts District with bikers riding along the river and patrons relaxing at Wedge Brewing Co. with a pint in hand, there is mud, dust and massive amounts of debris awaiting removal, along with a sadness hovering in the quiet space. And although Biltmore Estate is scheduled to reopen on Nov. 2, they have missed out on the prettiest month of the year and their sister village still sits in decimated sorrow.
Then there are the many small towns surrounding Asheville who are feeling the loss in their own ways. Whether it’s missing out on tourism dollars or unable to leave their community due to washed away roads, this year is monumentally different from those in the past.
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For me, watching the trees evolve into their brightest colors then begin to fall to the ground has been a reminder that no matter what we are managing as a human species, Mother Nature has a cycle of her own. After what felt like a peak week of colors, the leaves are now falling and letting it go, as they do year after year. And while this is maddening for folks wielding leaf blowers, it’s a yearly indicator that sometimes we have to let go to welcome in new growth.
There are other reminders that it's time to say goodbye to one season and hello to another. Fall sports, such as cross country and high school football are coming to an end while winter athletics such as basketball are beginning. This weekend, we will turn our clocks back an hour as we do every year at this time. Mornings have become chilly and evenings are the perfect temperature for campfires or a warm mug of tea.
Letting go is hard for most people. We don’t like to detach from what feels safe and comfortable. Going into the unknown can be scary. This is the case on typical matters such as a job change or moving to a new house, so one can only imagine what victims of Hurricane Helene may be feeling right now. Instead of choosing to say goodbye to something, they were forced to let go of homes and businesses that they nurtured and loved with everything in them.
As we continue to enjoy nature‘s colorful bounty, let’s keep sending good energy and helping hands to those who are still reeling from the floods. It’s easy to stay in our own little sphere and focus on our personal excitements and future plans. To an extent, that’s okay because there has to be a balance in our collective energy so we can carry each other through burdens. For those who didn’t suffer the type of devastation and loss that others did, we can be the stronger force that holds them up. Simultaneously, we can’t get so distracted with our own agendas that we forget about our friends and neighbors who need us.
So as you watch the leaves fall, let them be a reminder that letting go is a natural part of life but some people need more support than others, if the change being required is too much to bear alone.
(Susanna Shetley is a writer, editor and digital media specialist. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)
