As I anticipate the arrival of spring, a season that breathes new life into my surroundings, I reflect on the realization that life encompasses more than just the familiar cycles of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall; there are also seasons within one’s own journey. While many of us struggle to recall the season of our early childhood as babies, most can vividly remember the stages of childhood where our identities are shaped. Personally, I lack memories of this particular season, with my clearest childhood recollections emerging around the age of 11 or 12.
However, delving into the reasons I have no recollections of those early years is not the focus of this post. Neither, is it my intention to elaborate on the subsequent seasons – early adulthood, the season of raising children, the middle age season. Rather, I aim to explore the seasons marked by people entering and exiting our lives.
Individuals arrive, leaving an indelible impact – some wreak havoc, inflicting scars that last a lifetime; others act as guiding presences, helping navigate the twists and turns of life. There are those who love unconditionally, imparting invaluable lessons on walking this challenging path we call life. These individuals, like the changing seasons, come and go.
Life unfolds in seasons of discovery and heartbreak, moments when solitude seems inevitable and others when a companion walks beside you. I’ve made choices to shield myself from perceived or real fears, and now I find myself walking alone in this later season of my life. While my children’s love and support bring immense gratitude, and platonic friendships provide solace, the absence of a life partner to accompany me in this final season of life brings more than a tinge of sadness.