The humble leaf

I can’t hold on much longer. I’m getting weaker. Today has been a hard one. Seeing my friends go, the ones I have known my whole life, has been difficult. I’m tired so I might go to sleep now. I can’t let go though. Not yet. I must tell you who I am and how I got here. 

It all started in the Spring of 2015. I was one of the first to arrive. I saw others arrive too, and some didn’t last long here. It was too rough for them. At night it got pretty cold, and some froze to death. In the morning the grass would be covered in ice, and it took a long time for it to thaw out. I felt pretty sorry for it actually, as I never got that cold. 

Soon the sun would come up though, and warm the survivors. Those first few nights were rough, but we soon realised we were going to make it.

I was beginning to make friends too. We would just hang out all day, and chat about random stuff, giggling and laughing in the cool breeze. Those were the fun times.

Pretty soon Summer came along though. We had heard reports that it was going to be hot, but we’d never felt heat before. The sun came out really early in the morning, and it didn’t freeze over at night anymore. The days were long and hot, and we were grateful for the shade we got. Water was scarce too, so we had to conserve it as much as we could. 

Soon the summer was over, and a new season came along. We learned it was called Autumn here in New Zealand. We were much older now. Some days it was hard just surviving. It got pretty windy now, and some of our friends couldn’t hang on any longer. We all knew what was coming, but didn’t know when. It was better not knowing that. 

I’m the only one of my friends left now. I miss them, but I’m going to join them soon. We’ve had a good life really. Someone told me that after Autumn, comes Winter, and it’s cold all day and freezing at night. I’m glad I don’t have to live in Winter. 

I must go now. Stay strong and enjoy each day for what it is. Make true friends that will carry you through the long nights, and laugh with you on Summer days. Learn to live each day as it should be lived, to make each moment count. 

Your friend, The Humble Leaf