A Year by the River
November 2025
Ah! November, your colors truly glowed this year along this small part of the Bronx River. The vibrancy of all the golds, oranges, and reds felt like a magical chorus, singing songs of beauty and transformation before going dormant — kind of like when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. Watching nature shift this way reminded me that transformation takes energy, and that making time to replenish yourself is just as important as the change itself.
Just as nature breaks down what is no longer necessary to create space for what’s next, I found myself doing the same this year. The past 11 months have been a slow, steady process of reflecting and releasing old belief patterns, behaviors, and even relationships that no longer fit the story of who I am. I’ve been clearing out the dried up, fallen "leaf piles" — internally and externally — to make room for rest, which for me, includes more pleasure.
While walking along the river this lovely day in November, I spotted geese, wood ducks, mallards and green winged teals (not pictured here). On my way back to my car, I spotted something large by on the water. I almost missed it but there it was, perched on a fallen tree branch on the water, resting and quietly gathering strength and energy for what is next.
