Seasons

Just as I can vividly remember from the past 67 years the smell, sense, and observation of the coming of Spring, when the wild, psychedelic colors and the myriad shades of green seem gloriously overwhelming, and the different wildflowers, yellow to pinks to blues to the whites, in turns wildly exuberant then gracefully bowing out, to be joyfully replaced seemingly overnight, by another type of wildflower, wave after wave, for a few weeks. I, too, am a little tired, just by being among them.

This week, the last of the wildflowers are bowing out, and the non-human beings and I/we are now bracing for a few weeks of unfriendly dry and hot. In town the other day, when the temperature was pushing 90° but still five more degrees to climb, no one seemed to be out and about.

The air seems heavy, the heat feels somewhat menacing; whether we’re conscious of it or not, we’re all on pins and needles about fire. But I remember last summer when it was truly menacing at 104° -- particularly and maybe because when the AC motor crapped out; all the service and repair companies were setting appointments at least two weeks out. We talked about soaking in a tub of cold water if it came down to it. This, if the 10-day forecast can be remotely relied upon, I can handle.

Yet, if I think of it, I can now sense, see and smell the coming of Fall, and I realize I’m excited again; I thrill to the change: shorter days suggest jigsaw puzzles, reading, board games for two, afternoon movies and fires. After 67 years, the prickly and thrilling sensation of the going and coming of seasons has never lessened for me. Winter and Christmas decorations, to be eagerly followed by spring decor. Never at a loss for “stuff” to do, to experience, indoors and outdoors.

In spite of my current disappointment and despair about life’s current existential, political and social ‘challenges’ or ‘woes’ depending on my level of honesty and strength at any given time), the seasons have always kept me going. I can always see and feel and be with each season in real time, and also remember that for 67 years there will be a ‘next’ season. I’m always just curious enough to stick around and ‘see’. Is this what is called ‘faith’?