By Lorna Ramirez
There is something in spring that makes us sprightly and happy. Is it because of the anticipation of warmer days ahead after the dreary cold winter?
For me, this is the reason why Spring is my favourite season of the year. Spring symbolises new hope, new beginning and new life. For an avid gardener who has done a lot of work fertilising, pruning, re-planting during winter, this is the time to see the fruit of his/her labour—bountiful leaves and flowers for the plants and the abundant product of the fruit bearing trees.
Through the window glass in my room, I can see at my backyard my cherry, plum, apple, peach and apricot trees, all showcasing their beautiful blossoms of white, pink, red colours. These blossoms will be turning into fruits at summertime for us to enjoy thus giving nourishment to our bodies.
The season of the year can be compared to our cycles of life. A newborn baby resembles spring, symbolising new life and new hope. As the baby reaches maturity and full potential, this could be akin to the summer season when all plants, shrubs and roses will be at their peak of blooms displaying dazzling array of colours and flowers in all shapes and sizes.
Towards the autumn season, leaves and flowers begin to fall and get ready for hibernation. For people, this is the time for reassessing and reflecting things we have done. By the time winter comes, some plants and trees will be dormant and for us people, we will be reaching the end of our journey. Then the whole cycle will start all over again.
Sometimes an unexpected event or trauma will happen at any one stage of our lives. A friend of mine lost everything— the house, material possessions, irreplaceable memorabilia in a fire. It was like winter and that is depressing, but they managed to pull through. Their strong belief in God and the help of all their friends and religious congregation alleviated their sorrows. They stayed positive and counted their blessings instead that no one lost their lives.
I am now in my twilight years, in the autumn season of my life, slowly reaching the end of the journey. Looking back, I am proud of what I have achieved—wonderful, law-abiding successful children, well-mannered grandchildren and I am still interacting, connecting and sharing my thoughts and ideas through my writings to all people from all walks of life. If I am lucky, hopefully I will have many more years of winter seasons to enjoy, God willing.
Seasons of Life
In every stage of life we had
In every journey of life we tread
In every hardship and pain
There will always be an end
Just like the winter cold and woeful
Spring will always follow alive and blissful
Forgetting the dark miserable wintery nights
And moving on to a bright new life
For a fresh new beginning, and new way of life
