Seasons

[MommaK2007]

I was driving home from the grocery store yesterday, and noticing all the beautiful colors that autumn has brought.  It really is breathtaking.  Fall was always my mother's favorite season.  This is my first fall without her.  I tend to want to feel sorry for myself that we can no longer witness this beauty together, but then have to remind myself that she now has a bird's-eye view of this and other scenes too wondrous to imagine!

Anyway, I got to thinking about the seasons and how they correspond with our seasons in life.  Spring has always been my favorite.  Maybe it's because I love having something to look forward to (planning a big meal, getting ready for a trip, anticipating pay day, lol).  Spring brings hope and promise.  It brings reassurance, just as does a birth, that God has not given up on us yet.  That He sees fit to allow the cycle to perpetuate....

And summer is fun.  Gotta love the warm sun and summer activities, swimming, cookouts.  I think I'm in my summer in life.  I'll turn 40 this year.  It's been a blast.  But eventually the heat drains you, and you get weary and ready to slow down a bit.

That'll be the next season.  My autumn will be when my kids are raised, and maybe even my grandkids too.  It will be when I think about retirement.  It will be a slower pace, with gorgeous days like today and the time to enjoy them. 

Very few people look forward to winter, but that's a part of life too.  I was thinking about how it creeps up on us.  I was thinking about when my parents aged and things started to change -- their winter was setting in.  The first "hard freeze" might have been Mother's stroke or Daddy's first bout with CHF.  It's not a lot of fun to have your body give out on you.  I like fall, but I really dread winter.  But do I want to skip it? No, of course not.  I'll accept it. 

Here, I enjoy the seasons -- embrace the ones I love and tolerate the ones I don't -- always with the hope of one more spring.  In life, my spring will bloom eternal by my Savior's side.  I can't wait to see Mother and Daddy. 

Always a favorite passage of comfort:  Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

To everything there is a season....

[NannyB.]

Oct. 11, 2008 at 4:10 PM

My mom died two years ago today, and it has been a bittersweet day.

[momtoedemtom]

Oct. 11, 2008 at 5:54 PM

That was really nice.  Thanks Kimberly!

[dotesgirl]

Oct. 11, 2008 at 7:35 PM

Well written! 

[katemn]

Oct. 11, 2008 at 10:20 PM

I'm all verklempt now.  That was really beautiful.  I love the picture.  

[EiEiO]

Oct. 11, 2008 at 11:08 PM

Wow, Kimberly.   Thanks for sharing!

[LimeGreenLady]

Oct. 12, 2008 at 10:10 AM

I really enjoyed reading this post.  My favorite season is fall.  I love the cooler weather and the absolutely beautiful colors it brings.  Thank you for sharing.

[MonasMom777]

Oct. 13, 2008 at 4:05 PM

My Momma passed away in december so I know how you feel but it gets easier with time plus we allways have so many memories to take us back. God Bless you dear. Great post !!!!!

[sewinggrandma]

Oct. 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM

This is really beautiful.  Thank you for a wonderful post.

[catsnbooks]

Oct. 15, 2008 at 3:07 PM

My Mom also died over a year ago the end of September. It is hard to pass from one season unto another the first year. People say it gets easier but I haven't seen that as yet. Mothers are a special part of our lives. Thanks for sharing your post with us! It does help when one can share! Nicki

[wlfmama2007]

Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:11 AM

My grandma has been gone for 2 yrs already this Ovt and I was thinking about her when I was reading this. You always know how to say what I am thinking or need to put into words