Seasons Change

Seasons change....Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. We know they do. But there are other "seasons" that change also, in the proverbial sense. There are seasons in a humans life as well...and each one relates to the temperate seasons in different ways. There is: Newborn and infancy, toddler, adolescent, teen, young adulthood, adulthood, middle-age and elderly. And each one can be broken down into other "sub-seasons" of a person's life. It's a fact of life. And no amount of vitamins, exercise, healthy eating or prayer will slow down or stop each season of a person's life from coming...just like we cannot stop Spring, summer, fall and winter. No matter how bad we hate or love them, the seasons are sure to change without our permission. Sometimes, without our even realizing it. It's Summer, you're on vacation at the beach with your children and the next thing you know, it's Autumn and the first day of school. So, too, do the seasons of life occur just as quickly. You are holding your infant in your arms listening to him/her coo and gaga. The next thing you know, your little infant is in college as a young adult...even quicker, he/she is married and expecting your first grandchild. 

I was reminded of all of this yesterday. Visiting with my granny in the rehabilitation facility that is suppose to help her regain her strength. She is almost 96. This is a woman who has always been so independent. She took care of my Papa for many years before he passed away. She's traveled much and is a God-fearing Christian that has spent many Sundays and Wednesdays at her church. She raised 4 children (one died during his adolescence) and was married to the same man for more than 50 years. She drove well into her 80's without any problems whatsoever. As her eyesight began to deteriorate, she gave driving up on her own. Now, she is in the "Winter" of her life. She cannot get up on her own. She can no longer see the food plate in front of her well enough to eat on her own. It breaks my heart to see a woman once so vibrant and lively now like this. 

Last night 2 of the dearest friends I know came to visit me while I am in NC. I haven't seen them since March...Beth, Jason and their 5 year old daughter, Isabel. This time they brought their 4 week old baby boy, Evan. Such precious children...vibrant and full of life. I enjoyed seeing Isabel dance to my "Bow-chica-wow-wow" ringtone. I adored holding Evan as he kicked and cooed and smiled and, yes, cried, too. Evan and Isabel are both in the "Spring" of their lives. 

It's a bittersweet moment to see your once vibrant and full of life grandmother now in the winter of her life. Then hold a 4 week old baby with so much promise and future ahead of him in the spring of his life. 

Very bittersweet. C'est le vie.