The Changing
of Seasons
I love autumn. Of all the changes
in our climate that give us different seasons to enjoy, of the four, autumn or
fall, to use the familiar vernacular is my favorite. The cooldown from the summer
heat, the beginning of school, and the return of light coats and sweaters mark
the change of season. The crisp air, frosty mornings, the beautiful color of
the changing leaves on the trees, and everything the season brings, are
hallmarks for what’s to come: the holiday season! This time of year is mentioned
in my book Miss Virginia and the Sweet Sisters, and one could say it is
a prominent character in the book. Fall is good, yes, but winter just might be the
best season of all.
Changes.
Changes are as constant as time itself; some are welcome,
while others are not. Seasons of change are with us as we grow older, and I
wonder about it and this circle of life. I contemplate their meaning in the
greater scheme of things. It is winter now. As I write this, I give in to the
wonderment of winter in this season of my life.
We use metaphors for the changing of seasons.
Spring is for the very young, summer is for the youthful teenager and young adult,
fall is for the middle-aged adult, and winter is reserved for the elderly. The
same with the rising of the sun, we use the setting daylight hours, or twilight,
as a metaphor for waning years. Not to be maudlin, but it is something to
consider when thinking about the changing seasons, particularly when the cold
nights of winter come calling.
However much I love autumn, I must add that the “snows of
winter” bring a certain kind of beauty – all its own. I suppose living in a
mountain town will cause someone to think of it this way. I love the snow, the
unearthly quiet that blankets the earth when it falls, and one we awake to in
the early morning hour. The ethereal quality a cold winter’s night can bring when the
air is bitterly cold and dark, with nothing but the moonlight, stars, or street
lights to guide our way home. No one likes to drive in weather like this, of
course, but for those fortunate enough to remain inside, the beauty of white snow
against dark trees or on the roofs of houses is glorious to behold.
I look forward to winter’s cold, beautiful splendor and the snow
it brings. The warmth of wood burning in a fireplace and the sound of crackling
wood is comforting. Heck, a warm house to come into from the cold air and wind outside
is just as good too - no burning fireplace needed. With a warm cup of tea, cocoa, coffee, soup, and a good
movie or book to curl up with - these are the days we remember when the thoughts
of winter arrive in our minds.
We could do without slick roads, ice storms, car accidents,
frostbitten noses, fingers, and toes, oh yes! But the joy of quiet snowy
evenings, glistening icicles when the sun shines bright in the morning of the
following day, or the crunching sound of snow boots as we walk through the snow,
the cry of children engaging in snowball fights or sleighing down a hill - these
days are special indeed.
It’s the comfort of home and being surrounded by the indoors with
things we treasure that make winter special. The longer nights inside force us
to enjoy each other, spend more time together, and share ourselves when we
wouldn’t or couldn’t do otherwise.
So let the wind blow and the cold overtake us as time marches on.
There is something to be said about the end of the seasons as we look forward
to tomorrow’s spring. I, for one, look forward to these days as the year races by; I relish and enjoy them very much.
Quietly and reflectively.
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