Reflections of a Year

Whatever your age 25, 45, 65, or older there are certain times when all you've been through, when all the trials and tribulations, anxious moments and downright pain somehow fade into the backdrop. Share some moments we have all experienced throughout each season. In one year, I am certain you've felt some of them. Those moments that make you smile. The times that reaffirm that life really is a wonderous thing to experience. Each season gives you a chance to feel those special nuances that make the year. Even if you hate a particular season, you cannot deny there are special occurences in every season that uplift your heart. Hear are some of those times....

Spring The first time you press that button and slide that sunroof wide open. Oh what a feeling! How can you put that into words.

Summer The first time you step out on the green, cool grass with a touch of dew in barefeet. That's right, the first no shoes day!

Autumn Hastily driving down the road in a rush to get to work, you gaze out the window and see; the most beautiful, vibrant orange, red, and yellow colored leaves showcasing a masterpiece of artwork that every artist tries to recreate, but not one can. Try not to smile at that!

Winter Rushing through the store to beat the other customers to the shortest check-out line, you pause, hearing the very first Christmas Carol of the year. You don't even care if they are playing it too early. You contemplate taking another turn down an aisle so you can catch the ending.

Spring Walking through the parking lot after a long, exhausting day of work, you unzip your winter jacket. Your neck doesn't immediately constrict from the cold biting breeze. Instead, it feels a soft, warm caress surround it. Now, that is a feeling you never want to miss.

Summer You are sitting on your front porch in shorts-It is ten at night! Go ahead, try and stop the giggle that escapes your mouth in utter delight.

Autumn You can hear them before they reach the door. For fun, you try and count how many from the different shouts of laughter coming closer to the door. You open the door and hear, "Trick or Treat."

Winter The forecast says snow and the thoughts of shoveling, treacherous roads and bitter, bitter cold make you cringe with despair. Then, you feel it, that first wet drop melting on your nose. You look up to see white flakes gently falling. You can't help it, you stick out your tongue to catch the first snow flake of the season on the tip of your tongue.

Spring Freezing hard pellets of snow pelting your face change to cold, hard rain slapping your cheeks. But, one day you spot it, that first beautiful, yellow tell-tale sign; a daffodil.

Summer There is nothing that tastes better on any tastebud than that first bite of juicy, grilled cheeseburger. You know by the end of August you won't even want to hear the word burger. But, oh that first bite of the season, you can't beat it. And, no restaurant can make it, the first burger from the first summer barbecue!

Autumn You slide out of bed and your feet hit that chilled floor. Getting ready for the day, you cannot help but grin when you slide on those cozy, comfy socks, how could you ever forget how good they felt. You can't wait to pick out a pair to wear tomorrow.

Winter You are miserable, despite the damn flu shot, you got sick and it is awful, the cough, the runny nose and the effort it takes to pick your feet up to walk to the car. Each year seems to get worse. Then, you see him across the street in the neighbor's front lawn. Frosty the snowman, complete with the blacktop hat and the buttoned nose. You can't help but laugh at the arms made of sticks!

Spring You step out one early afternoon and feel this warm circle on top of your head. The sun. Trying not to smile you zip off the winter parka and throw it inside. It's the first day without a coat!! You know you'll probably have to wear it tomorrow, complete with gloves, hat and possibly the scarf, but today, today it's a no coat day!

Summer Sitting on the front deck trying to finish the chapter before the night completely falls you glance up. There it is. A yellowish orange dot near the deck post. Then, another and another. It's a lightning bug! A soft smile touches your face and grows to a grin. You long to run inside and get a glass to catch some. Lightning bugs lightning up a glass jar, now that's the ultimate childhood memory.

Autumn Buzzing through the baker aisle you are impressed with yourself and the self control you have passing the donuts. You don't even stop to smell 'em. Oooh, but wait. What is that? You try not to jump in delight, it's a pumpkin pie! A beautiful, tasty pumpkin pie. You glance at the price tag, nine dollars. You groan and start to move away. It will go down to three dollars soon. Wait a minute, it's pumpkin pie. The heck with the ridiculous price. And, the diet. It's pumpkin pie. You can't wait to get home and feel the cool, silky pumpkin slide down your throat. Not long before Tom the Turkey is roasting nearby.

Winter The weatherman is calling for snow. What else is new, snow, snow, more snow. You shovel, you shovel and you shovel, again. Every morning you go out you glare at the shovel. You are certain it likes this miserable weather. But, luck has it the snow storm is on a Sunday. What a novelty. So you venture outside in all that winter gear. You stop to look around for the snow shovel. Then, you hear it. The snow flakes falling and hitting the trees and the ground. You spin silently around. The roads are covered. The neighborhood is at a standstill. All you can hear is the snow falling gracefully to the ground. How could you have not stopped to have listened to that miraculous sound, before.

Whichever season your are in when you read this, enjoy those moments. And, add to them. How great thou art.