Seasons

As the Old Testament tells us…there is a time for every season; after the hottest July/Summer on history I am ready for a seasonal change into autumn. The cool crisp temps yesterday (Sunday the 9^th) got me thinking, as I was sitting along with my buddy Frank… both in our float tubes, trying to catch a few fish… I myself am in a seasonal change. I hit the big 50 this past June and probably I am no longer in the summer of my life…although I would like to think and feel like I still am.

I love the seasons and feel sorry for those folks that don’t experience the beauty and volatility of spring, the growth and heat of summer, the change and pallet of autumn or the sheer peacefulness of winter. We often hear how great the weather is in San Diego and other marine areas where there is a constant temperature…but for me, I love our seasons here in the great state of Indiana.

Spring…being the first season of the year is much like our youth. There are many ups and downs; wild times for sure. We start early on with snow and this evolves into days that just smell like a new beginning. For an outdoorsman like me nothing beats an April day when one can hunt a wild turkey in the morning and then casts for a myriad of fish in the afternoon. It is a magical time and just like we were in our youth we are alive and everything is an adventure. The learning curve is at its greatest during our spring and this tumultuous time prepares us and leads us into our summer.

Seems like summer is the time that our greatest growth takes place…much like the rich farms and fields here in southern Indiana; during a normal 90 day summer corn may rise to heights of 12 or 13 feet and it is at this point in young adults that growth also takes place. I have watched as my own son Jonas has ballooned upwards to his current height of 6’6” ;this leads me to wonder where he will go in his lifetime…what impact will he have, who will he meet and marry and someday down the road will he get paid back for his youth as he also starts a family? I don’t want to guess as to where summer ends and fall begins but as I said I am sure I am somewhere into my own month of October.

Autumn is simply the best of the seasons. Now you don’t  have to agree, maybe you have another favorite time of the year but for me a blue sky, 50 degree day is worth savoring and my only complaint is that we don’t have 20 hours of daylight so that I could fish and hunt all day long! You may be in the fall of your life…your rearing of kids are behind you and less the occasional financial bailout of a struggling child you may just find that you finally have enough money to not have so many worries. Then there are grand-kids; I heard all my life how much a blessing they are and was frankly a little skeptical but now with a couple new baby girls in our family I have morphed into a PPG (pretty proud grandpa). If you are in the fall of your life then you can relate to my feelings and there may be a little angst about the upcoming season of winter?

I won’t tell you that I enjoy bitter cold and long dark nights…for sure that would be a stretch of the truth; however, I can tell you that being outdoors on a cool winter day, whether it is with a gun or rod in my hand, it is very special. I love to fish in a gentle snowfall; it doesn’t happen often and when I do get this opportunity it is one of the most special days of my year. Winter for me can be a graceful season… awaiting an upcoming storm is exciting. My hope for the future is that I can ease into my winter season and enjoy it with grace. I have a pair of good friends; Glen and Donna. I taught and learned much from both of these folks while they were here at Edgewood. I see them often at church and marvel at how they enjoy their ‘winter’ season…as they help so many others and enjoy each other’s company. This gives me great hope that I too can someday make the transition to the last season and do so with such great dignity.

As we quickly move from summer to fall…I hope you take a moment and reflect on the time spent outdoors; build some time into your day to fish, hunt, and camp or just take a walk in your yard or around your neighborhood. I believe that outdoor people are healthy people and the more you use it…the less you will lose it. Regardless of the ‘season’ you may presently be in I wish you  the very best as we all Enjoy the Great Outdoors.