My Seasons

As the seasons change and autumn’s first golden blush creeps around summer’s greenery, I too start a new season. Here in September things are much different then they were in May. New house, new town, new state. New school, new people, new friends. Getting lost is now part of daily life, whether I’m driving or walking, it doesn’t matter. My mother just smiles and doesn’t ask why it took me so long to get back home; instead she says “Hilary, moving is an adventure”. The phrase borrowed from an adopted grandmother several “adventures” ago still backs her up at every band in the road. At 5, 8, even at 10 years old, I never questioned the adventure. My biggest concern was whether I was allowed to pick out my new room. Now I can no longer turn my thoughts and heart toward adventure, I’m too busy looking over my shoulder. Summer’s emerald brilliancy hasn’t lost its charm and fall’s gold and scarlet splendor hasn’t quite arrived.

Winter seems late in coming this year, as if old man winter couldn’t fight off Lady Autumn’s hold. Every time he thinks he’s won, she comes back, bringing warm weather and bits of sunshine with her. My mom likes to say I brought the Texas winter with me. Ironically, of all the things I could have brought, I didn’t even think of it. But it came anyway to remind me that even if I let go, I’ll never loose it. Here in January things have changed yet again. Not new school, my school. Not new people, my friends, not getting lost, finding my way. Or rather, letting Garmin find my way for me. Garmin has been my best friend for many months now; I take him where ever I drive. He’ll tell you it’s not easy being green but someone has to help the directionally challenged drivers of the world. Here in my home, I can begin to believe I’ll see summer again. Amid winter’s sporadic blasts I can feel spring’s tantalizing promise.