As autumn draws to a close, the landscape takes on some of its richest colours. Leaves turn shades of gold, amber and deep red, mornings grow colder, and in some places, the first frost begins to settle on the ground.
This is Frost's Descent (霜降, Shuangjiang), the eighteenth of China's twenty-four solar terms and the last of autumn.
Despite its name, Frost's Descent does not mean that frost appears everywhere on this particular day. Rather, it marks a period when temperatures continue to fall and winter draws closer.
In Chinese tradition, this is a time to admire autumn foliage, climb hills and appreciate the beauty of the changing landscape.
There is something remarkable about the colours of late autumn. After months of growth, trees do not simply fade away. Many become more striking than ever.
Perhaps there is a lesson in that.
There Is No Single Timetable for Growth
We often associate growth with beginnings: the first shoots of spring, the energy of summer, or the excitement of something new.
Yet growth does not always look like progress from the outside.
Sometimes it means discovering something about ourselves. Sometimes it involves changing direction, reconsidering what matters, or learning to accept uncertainty.
And sometimes, it simply means becoming more comfortable with who we are.
Just as different plants respond to the seasons in their own ways, people develop at different paces and through different experiences.
There is no single timetable for finding happiness, understanding our identity or discovering where we belong.
Every Journey Deserves Respect
At The Mothers' Bridge of Love, we encounter many different experiences of family, adoption, identity and belonging.
For some adoptees, exploring their origins is an important part of understanding themselves. Others may feel less need to search, or may choose to explore their personal histories at a different stage of life.
Some people find comfort in sharing their stories openly, while others prefer to keep them private.
There is no single right way to approach these deeply personal questions.
What matters is respecting each person's choices, experiences and pace.
Through our work with children, families and communities, MBL hopes to encourage an environment in which people feel free to explore their identities without pressure or expectation.
The Beauty of What Comes Next
After Frost's Descent, winter is not far away.
Leaves will fall, days will grow shorter, and the natural world will enter a quieter season. Yet beneath the surface, life continues, preparing for changes we cannot yet see.
Perhaps we can take something from this moment in the year: not every stage of life needs to be measured by visible achievements, and not every journey needs to follow the same path.
As autumn comes to an end, The Mothers' Bridge of Love sends warm wishes to our friends, families and supporters around the world.
May we learn to appreciate the beauty of every season, respect the different paths we take, and recognise that each life has its own way of growing.
Wishing everyone a peaceful Frost's Descent. 霜降安康！