You are but one leaf in a forest of trees and you make a difference. 

In late September, my wife and I left town just as a few leaves here and there were brightening. I was looking forward to our travels but felt wistful that I would miss the autumn leaves. We spent 3 weeks exploring the Southwest the highlight of which was visiting dear friends in New Mexico. The landscape from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is beautiful but there isn’t a lot of autumn color. There are gorgeous mountains, amazing blue sky and a smattering of gold leaves. We arrived back in Ohio in the dark. The next morning my backyard trees shocked me. What a glorious, gorgeous, amazing sight!!! Blazing reds, dancing oranges, shimmering yellow and steady green. Running errands that week was a joy – a road near me is lined on both sides with sugar maples. It was magical. All those thousands of leaves had dramatically altered the landscape.  

When voters turn out to make a difference, the colors of the landscape similarly shift. Every vote matters. That one leaf may be amazing on its own. For full glory, however, it takes a street lined with thousands of bright leaves showing their full colors. This election season, like every other, there are issues on the ballot that will make a difference. There are some that won’t move the needle one way or another. Leaves don’t get to decide if they change, or not, they follow the pattern of the weather. You, though, have a larger circle of influence. You can research your options. Read multiple trusted sources for information before you choose. Talk to friends and trusted advisors about their thoughts. You can even encourage others. You can vote. It is breathtaking when the power of democracy turns the tide toward kindness and well-being for the community.  

Now it is raining, the gorgeous leaves are carpeting our backyard. Other trees haven’t changed yet, the evergreens will continue to shelter birds and squirrels all winter long. The leaves fall and nourish the new growth that will come in the spring. The cycle continues. Soon this election will be over, we will have lessons learned and progress made. You can continue to learn and find ways to make a difference. But for one brief week you have a chance to Vote – to show your colors along with every other voter. Please make your voice heard.  

It is time to vote. You can make a brilliant difference. 

Peace,

Laura A. Gaines

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