Showing Our True Colors

Photo Provided by Becky Nelson
The foliage around here has been absolutely spectacular. Predictions were that we might see a lot of brown, dry leaves with yellows the predominant color because of this year’s drought conditions. Drought can do a lot of harm, but this year it didn’t seem to hurt the fall foliage colors. When you come in close, you may note some damage…holes in the leaves, browning at the edges, but step back and the view is amazing.

The mighty maple is the one that brings the brilliant reds and oranges to our region. Without maple, we would see a little bit of orange in the oaks, but predominantly yellows in the beech, birch, and all the other deciduous trees in our neck of the woods. Not only does the maple give us beauty in the fall, but during the summer it gives us shade in parks and towns and in the late winter and spring gives us that magnificent sap to make the remarkable maple syrup we love.

All spring and summer, those sugars that were stored in the roots all winter rise to fill the leaves with chlorophyll, giving the leaves that beautiful deep green color. Allowing the plants to turn sunlight into the nutrients that support the tree, chlorophyll starts to fade out as the weather turns and sunlight becomes limited in autumn. That’s when the trees show their true colors. Those vivid reds, strong oranges and sunny yellows were there all summer long, but hidden.

For just a few weeks, we can enjoy the true colors of our surroundings. One of my friends recently said to me “when someone shows you their true colors, believe them.” My mother always said something to the effect that a tiger can’t hide its stripes forever, to much the same effect. Of course these were meant to keep me alert to scammers and those who might want to take advantage of me, but I liken it to the good in people, as well.

Like the fall foliage, we can’t hide our true colors for long. We can pretend that the jabs and stabs of others don’t hurt and the prejudices and slanders are meaningless, but sometime we will react. We can pretend that we are fine when our mental health is suffering and the confusing and debilitating thoughts inside our heads are swirling, trying to take over. We can pretend that our finances are fine and we continue to spend as we usually do when our accounts are dwindling. Like the leaves full of chlorophyll, we can cover up our true fears, our true needs, our true thoughts, but eventually they will come on through.

It would be better for all of us if we voiced our true thoughts and needs as they occur, not when trying to cover them up makes life harder in the long run. We should seek help in keeping our health. We should seek the help of others when life gets tough. We should seek help to keep our mental health healthy. We don’t always, and we won’t always as a collective, but we can be aware of others and their true colors and try to guide and help them in rewarding directions without focusing on their warts and wrinkles and imperfections.

It can be as simple as giving a few dollars in a church collection plate, sending a couple bucks to the Red Cross, picking up some trash dropped at the side of the road in front of your house, re-using a plastic bag instead of getting a new one. Our desire to keep the true colors of ourselves and each other alive and vibrant can be achieved in small ways. We just have to be aware and have the desire for a better, brighter world and be willing to show our true foliage.

Becky Nelson is owner of Beaver Pond Farm in Newport, eighth generation in a multi-generational farm that was established in 1780. She can be reached at [email protected].