it is a reminder of daylight savings time. Coming this weekend we will be turning our clocks back one hour (spring forward, fall back). I must say this particular event is not my favorite as it heads me into a sense of sadness. I’ve always fell prey to the darkness that seems to take over our days. It’s really a twisted argument and engagement all at the same time.
I love this season; the colors, remembrance of gratitude or thanksgiving, the crisp air that blows the most detailed and beautiful leaves, the picture perfect photography that is birthed in this season, etc. There is football and still some NASCAR all at the same time 🙂 Yay! Then there is BUT………it means heading into winter; the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord, crystallized snowflakes, no school days, all those things at one time in my life I was okay with.I still love all those times/things…….but the darkness seems to take me to a place that I tend to lose control of how I function. I lose a sense of: passion to awake in the morning, motivation to laugh/smile for no reason at all, endurance to do my daily activities, control to crawl out of the hole I seem to have fallen in. I don’t know why this happens nor when it started really. I just know it’s almost that time………and I’m feeling the grave cold of it all.
Depression is a word many would place here……or at least seasonal. It’s a dormant time, a time maybe for growth, listening & not talking, healing…..I don’t know….I’m not sure, but I do know that I always come out eventually. Can I stop from going there this year? Will my new hope for a healthier me (due to surgery), give me all that I need to face this yearly giant that visits me? I sure pray so! It all reminds me of the tree…….the tree has been a very significant symbol throughout my life.
Spring…….the rain gives life to the new forming flowering buds in their youth. Tulips, lawnmowers, fertilizing, and a new sense of energy. The days get brighter as the sun is allowed to be in our presence more hours a day. The tree……new life of green babies exploding daily.
Summer…….the sun is warming our faces, fresh garden vegetables, family vacations, sun-made ice tea/lemonade, blooms of every color and shape surrounds us, ice-cream, baseball games, drive-in movies, romance and play dates in the park. The tree……a strong covering of shade in the heat of the day, vibrant and beautiful shades of green make the most beautiful sound as God breathes.
Autumn……the days of sunlight shorten, there is a crispness in the air, pumpkins, and goblin celebrations, candy, second quarter of school, time to think about Thanksgiving dinner, rakes, and double-check of water hoses, shut off valves, winterizing, etc. The tree…….the most mature upright mix of color (reminds me of all the human races that surround me daily) makes me get on my knees with true thanksgiving for God to allow us to just get a hint of his perfect tapestry.
Winter…….winter break, Christmas presents, sledding, parties, decorated trees, snowflakes, houses all lit up, pies, family gatherings and football games, the dropping of the New York City ball and countdown to the new year, but so many expectations and commercialized chaos. The tree…….shedding the last of the leaves to become dormant, gray, and seemingly lifeless. It is not so pretty on the outside, but I see its beauty from within as it quietly rejuvenated itself for the next season of duty.
I think I have to choose a different tree for a different season……..The Evergreen; it is beautiful with colors when strung with lights, deep green all year round, and has protective pines that can withstand anything. They stand tall, and with wisdom their bark speaks.
The tree is my vision of how my life truly is; it has its seasons, duties, and most of all strong during the storm! 🙂
I pray much peace and happiness to the souls of my friends and family during this holiday season!
Simply L.O.L.A. 