In my last column (Oct. 23), I wrote about a unique project by my Rotary Club of Mercer Island: “Leaf Artwork” at Rotary Park. We decided to rake all the fallen leaves into creative designs instead of into compost heaps, as we’ve done in past clean-ups.

Readers asked: Are you crazy? Many thought the idea was a little weird. Others said the leaves would all blow away. Some just laughed.

So how did it go? In a word: FABULOUS! We hit it out of the park, so to speak! For four hours on Sunday, Oct. 27, a super group of folks raked a large “Leaf Labyrinth,” a colorful spiral, concentric circles around trees, a bright red heart, a peace symbol, happy faces, and other intricate designs – including a leafy Rotary Seal.

The grass was our canvas, the leaves were our palette. The creativity came from within. And we only used rakes; no leaf blowers!

The morning began ominously with a brief rain squall and blustery wind that blew all the papers off our sign-in table and knocked over our Rotary banner. But soon the rain stopped and the skies (mostly) cleared. We were even blessed with a couple of hours when the sun came out.

Participants were a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds, from gray-haired senior Rotarians to MIHS students to elementary school kids. Anne Hritzay of MIVAL (Mercer Island Visual Arts League) and I jointly oversaw the event.

As Anne said: “Everyone was so full of joy, meeting new people, bringing back childhood memories of playing in the leaves and creating beauty in nature.” She’s absolutely right.

Mercer Island High School students Eric Fernandes and Henry Newcomer, co-presidents of the Rotary-affiliated Interact Club, came early to help set up. Benson Wong, Rotary club president, raked for hours. John Howe bought coffee. Ashley Hay brought doughnuts. Julie Hsieh took countless photos and videos. Diane Tien was an enthusiastic leaf designer.

What was the point of all this? Our initial goals:

1. Fun: In these troubled times of war, terrorism, crime, disease, hunger, pollution, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other discouraging woes — not to mention our toxic political polarization — we all just need to have some fun now and then.

2. Community: Mercer Island is a great place to live, but we all want to be better neighbors than we are. Lots of terrific organizations bring people together here. We sought to collaborate and find some “common ground.” The city supported us by providing rakes, gloves, and other tools, thanks to Jordan Fischer of the Parks Department.

3. Beauty: Making art with leaves has been done before in other places, but not on our island. Yes, this artwork is delicate and ephemeral. It will be blown away in the wind, or simply sink into the ground. But so what? That’s part of its charm. (For other examples, see mossandfog.com and check out Nikola Faller’s leaf art, which was our inspiration.)

“Beauty is truth; truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know,” wrote Keats.

The Rotary 4-Way Test asks: Is it the truth? Is it fair? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial for all concerned? I think we nailed it.

But as I walked around the site the next morning, some other thoughts occurred to me. (Bear with me here; I’m getting old and maybe sappy.)

In a way, leaves are like lives. They are born and grow in the spring, are vigorous and green all summer, then begin to age in the autumn. (I can relate to that!) They start to decay and turn colors – brown, red, orange. (Me too: Darn age spots!) At some point they fall to the ground and come to rest. (I’m trying hard to avoid falls, and use a cane now and then).

As time passes, the leaves decay and their natural organic materials pass into the ground, adding nutrients to the tree and grass roots. (I will do the same someday.) The cycle of life and death is immutable.

Admiring the designs that we created, I thought: Our lives, like leaves, can also be beautiful and inspiring. We have moments of falling, drifting, blowing in the wind, unsure of our direction or destiny. But we eventually settle somewhere, finding our way through the labyrinth of life.

As I walked the paths of the park, I thought of the journeys we all take, with many ups and downs. The concentric circles around the trees reminded me of family, friends, colleagues, partners, marriages, and simple human interactions that everyone experiences.

Okay, maybe this is a strained analogy. But I find myself reflecting more often these days on the lessons I’ve learned, mistakes I’ve made, and wisdom (if any) that I’ve acquired. Don’t you?

At least for one day, some wonderful designs and patterns were created by a happy group of MI citizens who came together despite differences in age, education, wealth, politics, artistic ability, etc. The day was marked by fun, laughter, teamwork, kindness, and civility. It was pure joy.

When the leaves are gone, the wonderful memories will remain. And here’s the best news: We’ll do it again next year!

John Hamer is a former Seattle Times editorial writer and columnist who has lived on Mercer Island for 25 years. He doesn’t own a leaf blower.