Seasons of life

     

     "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."

— Ecclesiastes 3:1       

     "There is no season such delight can bring, as summer, autumn, winter and then spring." 

— William Browne (1591-1645)

     Today is the last day of summer and what a pretty day it is! Though still enjoying my patio with its colourful furniture I purchased this year, I see the hanging baskets and potted flowers are beginning to show a few signs of weariness, as though they've almost finished providing us with their summer enjoyment. 
     The nip I feel in the air confirms it — yes, summer is on its way out!  
     With the autumn equinox arriving Sunday, Sept, 22, according to my calendar, summer will officially end and fall will begin. From longer days and shorter nights, we will now have shorter days and longer nights, with the shortest day on Dec. 21, the winter solstice. 
     
     

     I am glad I live in a place where I can experience the variation of seasons. How refreshing it always is, to welcome spring with its new life, new beginnings and suggestions of new hope it always seems to bring to our world!  
     


     

     The lazy, sunny days of summer — with the buzzing of bees, the fluttering of bird's wings, and the abundant beauty of colorful flowers — comes to an end all too quickly. 
     




     

     Then comes autumn, with King Frost touching the oak, maple, elm and beech trees, changing their leaves to beautiful multi-coloured hues, with rich varieties of reds, oranges and yellows. 




     

     Before we know it, the temperature starts to plummet and winter arrives with all her barrenness, until the snowflakes start to pile up, to envelope the world in a pristine robe of white. 
     


     Experiencing the seasons of the year is much like living through the different seasons of life. We pass through ages and stages, and are constantly met with changes, new offerings continuously being replaced by the old. 
     Change is inevitable whether we like it or not, and some changes are difficult to accept. But, as humans, we will always be changing, for as one need is filled, the next need can now have its voice heard. When we stop changing, we will stop living. 
     

     "I like to think of the Season of Spring in my life as the time when — having enjoyed my carefree childhood — I moved to adulthood, becoming even more alive to the beauty and challenges life had to offer me." 

— Beulah Eagles

     The excitement of choosing one's life profession, as well as the hopes and dreams of finding their life's companion, consumes youthful thoughts and energies, as they did mine. 
     
     

     The Summertime of My Life was filled with awesome responsibilities and joys — as together with Nels, my life partner — we brought into the world, nurtured and guided each of our children to maturity. The Autumn of My Life came all too soon, bringing Nels and I to the empty nest syndrome, as the cycle of life continued, with each child in turn, leaving to create a nest of their own and a new family unit. 
     

     Now, beginning to experience what the word "retirement" meant, it now brought to us many wonderful days of unhurried companionship. The unburdened feelings we shared, as together with friends, trips domestic and abroad were planned, as well, voluntarily sharing our talents in our church with seniors and others, became satisfying to us both. 
     We shared the warm comfortable feeling of just being "us." However, it became increasingly obvious to us that we were drifting into the Winter Season of our lives, as signs of the vibrancy and unlimited energy we both had been so blessed with, were beginning to fade. 
     I have been granted the gift of experiencing each season of life, which many of my friends have not. Even though my body may tell me I am in the season of winter, I would like to think my heart is in the season of spring. 
     I have reflected on the seasons — not to emphasize the brevity of life and that death comes to everyone and everything, but, instead, to revel in the thought that there is yet another Springtime promised; when all shall be made new. 
     

Eternal Springtime, by Thomas Kinkade

     I am as confident of life after death as I am of the spring that always follows winter. Because Jesus himself, was resurrected from death, I, too, will experience an 'eternal springtime.'

     

     "... in His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish... kept in heaven for you." 

— 1 Peter 1:3, 4

— beulah