The Samurai's Garden

"The first signs of fall have already made themselves noticed in the garden. The smells were first to change, the perfumes sweet and heavier. Next will be the colors as they turn to the reliable shades of crimson, saffron, orange, and scarlet. There's something more serious about the fall than any other season. Maybe it's the light that gradually grows darker, making everything seem less trivial, forcing you to look harder to find your way."

A quote from "The Samurai's Garden", one of those poetic, quietly beautiful books that leave you feeling slightly sad and reflective. Before, I had never paused to consider how lepers deal with the permanency of their condition, and most importantly, learn to find beauty and hope in a world that has shunned them. It makes me so grateful for the normalcy of my own life and the health of my loved ones, and also reminds me of how we, the lucky ones who are so blessed with health and material stability, must always remember those who are less fortunate.

But on a more cheerful note, Thanksgiving break has been wonderful so far. Highlights-- Safeway runs, the fragrance of crushed cranberries and oranges, perfectly blue skies, the crisp smell of autumn, being curled up in my warm blankets, bright city lights in San Francisco after dark, a little girl waving "bye" to me, the familiarity of home, and haunting music that leaves you tingling.

"In the rain
The pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever"

"On My Own" --Les Miserables (such pretty lyrics..one can almost see the mist and the starlight! =)