Once again, time has escaped, and the long warm days of summer will soon be behind us. The fall season marks the transition from abundance to rest. The days are growing shorter, the temperatures will be cooling, and the trees will soon reveal their final show of brilliance. Their leaves will turn to gold, crimson, and amber before they drift to the ground.
Fall is a season of harvest and preparation. It’s also a time of reflection. The world seems to slow its pace, animals store food, birds fly south, and the landscape begins to quiet. There is beauty in this fading, and a reminder that letting go is a necessary part of life.
Those words remind me of a powerful video clip featuring a character that has created a lasting cultural impact- none other than the gun-toting grandmother, Tyler Perry’s Madea. With her sharp tongue and even sharper sense of justice, Madea has become an unlikely hero for millions, navigating themes of family, forgiveness, and resilience.
On the surface, Madea is a little outrageous. She’s been in jail, often carries weapons in her purse, and sometimes settles disputes with her fists as much as her words. But under the wild antics lies a solid rock of values forged from experience.
One of Madea’s most famous messages is her advice to “let them go.” Whether she’s talking about toxic relationships or ungrateful friends, Madea doesn’t sugarcoat her advice. If someone is holding you back or no longer adding value to your life, let them go.
She states that she places people in her life in categories related to a tree. Some are leaves and they blow from place to place. They might give some shade every now and then, but mostly they take. Those folks are seasonal. Others are like branches on the tree. Madea says to be careful with the branches. She states that you must especially take caution when stepping out on those branches because sometimes they can fool you. Then, Madea says that if you have two or three people as roots of your tree, then you are blessed. Those are the ones to hold onto.
All of this makes me think about friendships that I’ve had over the years. Some of them have been seasonal and in my life for brief periods of time and for specific reasons. Others have developed into branches, and while I haven’t necessarily had any negative branch-breaking experiences, I am often cautious about taking risks or relying on others.
I have been very blessed and very fortunate to have a few friends that I consider “roots.” These are the ones that I hold onto. In fact, one of my best friends has been a “root” for over forty years. As Madea says, “Some come into your life for a lifetime and some for a season and you got to know which is which.”
So, here’s a piece of my mind… As the seasons change, remember that change can be good. If you find yourself burdened by friendships or relationships that no longer serve you, just let them go. Let them go so you can grow and heal. You are allowed to set boundaries and speak truth. Walk away from anyone or anything that’s destroying your peace. Madea may wear a gray wig and wield a pistol in her purse, but beneath the laughs lies the heart of a woman shaped by struggle who tells it like it is. Her lesson on letting go isn’t just advice, it’s about freedom and peace of mind. “Let them go, baby. Just let them go.”
Maybe it’s what I’m going through, but I have tears streaming down my face. I really needed to read this today. Beautifully written. Thank you.