I spent this weekend in Berkeley with a remarkable group of fellow travelers from the tech industry, academia, AI labs, and startups. We talked about the state of AI, the future of education, and, well, the future of everything. It was incredible! In fact, the conversations were so good that nobody wanted to go to bed.
As the night went on, the cool Bay Area air started to freeze out SoCal wimps like me, so we lit the fire pits. My hoodie had long since surrendered, and I was literally shivering as I leaned in to embrace the flames. Thin ribbons of glowing warmth wove through the lava rocks like dancers swaying to music only they could hear. I looked around the circle and saw that every one of us was mesmerized, quietly watching all that radiant life flicker in front of us.
I love fall. Spring and summer are loud with growth and energy, but fall has a coziness all its own. Sure, the falling leaves remind us that the year’s work is winding down, and the longer shadows tease of colder, darker days ahead. But fall doesn’t rush. It slows down and reflects. It ramps up the rich colors, sends the wind rustling through the trees, and wraps us in sunny days and crisp nights.
Behind us, our shadows danced with the flames. We looked at each other and savored the moment. The day was ready to be tucked into bed with all the other treasured memories. But not yet. For now, we sat together in the glow. We soaked in the glory of the day, gave thanks for the journey that brought us there, and began to dream about what might come next.
Soon the night sky, a heavenly blanket dotted with stars, settled over us and our eyes grew heavy. It was time to retire. The fire took one last breath and exhaled its final dance. But even after the flames were gone, the embers kept glowing. That’s the thing about fires: they don’t just end. Over time the embers fade, but before they do, they surrender their heat to everyone gathered around, and each person gets to carry a bundle of that warmth home.
I can’t help but think the seasons of life work the same way. Every ending is ushered in by a fall: a warm fire of gathering and remembrance, and a grateful bundle of warmth to carry you home.
May your journey be full of gatherings and warm memories!