A FALL MORNING AT THE FARM

The first rays of the morning sun emerge from behind a thinning canopy of trees, illuminating the fine mist suspended in the crisp air of dawn.

They cascade through the crimson leaves of turning trees, their foliage glowing like fire.

In these earliest moments, so much is still draped in darkness. The transition is not to be rushed. Nothing as beautiful as a sunrise should ever be.

Above it all, the moon lingers as its counterpart takes over the sky. I imagine that it sticks around just to see what new beauty can be seen as the morning unfolds.

As its form disappears into the blue sky, the sheep make their way into the fields for their first meal. With the arrival of the sun comes a sense of safety, along with its quiet sublimity.

A few hours ago, the soundtrack of the land was the chirping of a cricket chorus, but now, it is the munching of our flock and the squawking of birds bidding adieu to the night.

As the morning brightens, the facades of structures once hidden by the cloak of night come into view. They stand steady against the ever-evolving backdrop of the autumnal landscape.

But the landscape is not the only thing yielding to the season. Our animals, too, are allowing autumn to guide them. Their coats are slowly thickening as the temperature drops, preparing them for days not quite as fine as this.

In a couple of months, there will be times when they remain in the barn, seeking shelter from the harsher weather of winter. But not today. Today is the perfect day for a trip to the pasture.

One by one, they file out and fill the field. Though the grass is turning more golden by the day, they can still find sweet blades hidden between the thatch.

They nuzzle their snouts down into the earth, nibbling around for their favorite food. Once they fill their mouths, they lift their heads and survey the land as they chew, searching for their next spot.

They will remain here until dusk settles over the meadow, ushering in the darkness.

Although I wish I could stay with them until then, the day is just beginning, and with it comes a full list of to-dos. And so, I leave them where they stand and make my way back through fences bedazzled with shimmering webs.

God willing, I will see many more awe-inspiring autumn mornings in my life. I pray that I never lose the wonder I feel in witnessing every subtle shift, or the gratitude I have for the beauty that only His divine light can illuminate.

Love,

Leila