Peeling Back the Layers

This is one of those posts where I have no idea whatsoever what direction it will take – if it even decides to take a direction. I have nothing really planned, no ideas good or otherwise. I do have a few pictures, maybe they’ll prompt some words.

Peeling bark of the river birch reminds me of life and people. Each year of life new layers unfold; the better we get to know our friends, the more layers we find. We peel back the public facades, the protective layers, and we find the true person. Or at least what is the true person then, because with the new layers time brings, new layers of being develop. We cannot remain untouched by time or experiences.

The prickly seed head of one of last summer’s flowers; as time passes appearance changes. In youth, in the prime of life, beauty is softer, more colorful. Time passes and experiences change appearances. Time etches into beings and facades the lines of character, of living life.

The birth of a new pine cone, regeneration, the old is replaced by the new. Life is lived out, new life begins. Seeds are spread, experience is shared, everything starts over.

Through time, some things remain the same. Lily will continue to believe that if she spends time in the birdfeeder, a bird will magically present itself for her pleasure. Eventually she may realize this isn’t the answer, but I suspect it will take a very long time. She is, if nothing else, very persistent and very determined.

Life is full of discovery, of learning, isn’t it? Some things we’d probably prefer not to learn, but each discovery brings growth and growth cannot be denied.