Change.

This is my favorite time of year. Fall. The colors of the leaves begin to change, the temperature begins to change, ... life begins to change. The way that the leaves twirl to the ground in the breeze. It takes me back. At moments, it reminds me of the seasons of my past and where I was many years ago. At other times, it reminds me that change is a way of life. Such a necessary thing if you ever want to better yourself. And it helps me look forward to my future. My, how life can take an unexpected twist. Today, I take a moment to remember Octobers of the past and to celebrate where I am today.

20 Years ago, October 0f 1988 :

I found this one in the vault, so I had to post it. I was 5 years old. I am with my brother dressed up for Halloween. We look kind of creepy, I know. Life was simple. There was absolutely nothing to worry about. It was a time in life when you could play with stuffed animals, lick the cake beaters, and watch good old fashioned cartoons. I am a green leaf, here. New and fresh. No idea of what is in store for me. Delicately attached to the branches of life.

10 years ago, October of 1998

I was a freshman in High School. Definitely NOT a simple life anymore. I spent most of my time on a phone talking to a boyfriend that was WAY too old for me. Life was filled with peer pressure, tests, and one big popularity contest. Oh, and lets not forget braces .. as shown above. At this time in my life, I was 15. A lot of choices were placed in front of me that made me who I am today and placed me where I am today. The edges of my leaf began to turn a beautiful yellow. My grip on life's branches, not as tight as before.

5 Years Ago, October of 2003

It was the fall right before I became a Christian. I was living in College Station and working at a bank called First American. I just made friends with a sweetheart of a girl named Crystal Vega, whom I still love to this day. I was wondering if coming to Aggieland was the right choice for me. I would soon find out what a perfect choice it was. Life was still a bit confusing. I had to determine what I wanted to do, fast. I was 20 years old and a junior in college. I spent many hours studying and a few having fun with my roommate, Wendy. I was now changing into an orange leaf. Almost ready to let go of all that I held on to. Almost ready to "bleed Maroon", if you will. :)

1 Year Ago, October of 2007

I drove with my boyfriend Adam, out to the park, to have a picnic. The weather was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. We walked around the park and fed the ducks at the pond. When we got back around to my favorite tree, he began to tell me about how he wanted to be able to look back in life and have "places" with me. Places that we went together, places that when we visited again, brought back those same butterflies in our stomach. Adam got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. Life has been so wonderful since. It has had so many unexpected changes, but they have all been so pleasant and so welcomed. This time, I am finally a deep red leaf. Ready to let go of all of life's troubles. Ready to twirl to the feet of those that I love.

The greatest part of all? I get to do it all over again... changing and twirling, holding on, and letting go. Taking each moment at a time. Never expecting all of the changes that life has in store. Twenty, ten, or even 5 years ago ... I had no idea where life would take me. For so long I held on to unnecessary hurt and confusion of what or who I was supposed to be. For so long I wanted to be the one that controlled my destiny, instead of putting it in Gods hands. He created the trees. Not me. If you know me, you know that I love trees. I told Adam when we started dating, that if I could, I would rather have a dozen trees than a dozen roses. ;) But they fascinate me. They grow from so deep in the ground, all the way to the sky. Reaching up to God. Turning the most beautiful shades of green, yellow, orange, and red. I didn't know what God had in store for me. Me, a simple leaf on his tree that held on with all of my might because of all of the things I could never let go of. He showed me a glimpse of what is in store for me, last October.

And now that I know, ... I am ready to fall.

"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles Dubois