Returning to that from which we are made. This is a common theme and scripture used at funerals and times of loss. It brings comfort, which leads me to wonder, why is this the only time we ponder this topic. We clearly see this happening all around us, particularly at this time of the year.
One of my friends adores the changing of the leaves each fall. In fact, she and her fiance' scheduled their engagement pictures so that the blazing autumnal colors would be their backdrop. This same friend is struggling with missing a loved one who passed away this summer. She related to us how she used the imagery of the leaves, which bring her so much joy when changing color, ending their life cycle and returning to the place from which they came, the earth, to bring her comfort. She realized that her loved one had done the same thing, and returned to God, from whom she had come.
Even during our lives, at some point, we turn a corner, and start to become more like we were at the beginning of our lives. We need more help taking care of ourselves, we have more difficulty moving and communicating, we become more like the pure souls we were in our infancy. So many people see this as a loss of dignity. I think it is much more peaceful to see this as returning to that from which we came.
