Let it Go!

(Local View from 4'2; Lake County Press, Octoer 2, 2026)

We are holding on to too much. I really resonate with the saying of, “I have too many tabs open (in my brain) and I can not find where the music is coming from.” This reference is about searching the web and keeping so many websites running in the background so you don’t forget to do something. But for me, even the open tabs, the organizing by tab groups, and the putting of emails into folders…none of it is currently working.

While driving on roads lined with red and orange maple trees, I was reminded of this beautiful season saying, “Autumn leaves teach us the beauty of letting go.” Trees know the changes in the season from temperature changes that limit their intake of rain which impacts their ability to make their sugars and other needed nutrients for growth. They also know that holding on to their leaves for the long winter ahead would, for most trees, damage or kill them. So they must let go. And while I show my bias to the maples and leafed trees there are also the beautiful tamarrack needles that also turn color and fall for winter.

I am much like these trees as I wait with anticipation to head north to Ely for a long weekend with dear friends. We will have great scenery of changing trees reflecting on the lakes. As I prepare for the accessible resort, I am so excited to sit and read in the screen porch, star gaze on the patio with a smokeless fire, and fish on an adapted pontoon boat. My brain, heart and soul are already there. I can smell the crockpot making our amazing meals of farm fresh veggies in whatever cuisine we choose. I can hear the laughs and giggles of my dearest adventure friends. I can sense the peace of letting go and just being me. Ahhhh… 

I plan to be intentional in what I leave in Ely and what I take home for my busy month of October as I will be spending time in hotels almost every week for work and some adventure. I will be simmering and stirring up plans of amazing events moving disability community and culture to the forefront of minds and decisions. I will be working on projects, limiting my open tabs in browser and brain, and creating great relationships through events and opportunities while celebrating October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.