The changing of the seasons tends to be a frequently used metaphor. As I'm sitting here on this sunny day with blue skies, green grass, and a light breeze, and now I can understand why. I feel at peace. I feel lighter. We are in the midst of spring and summer teeters around the corner. Spring is the rebirth. It represents hope and a brighter future. We can take a deep, refreshing breath of the air and feel relieved after the pressures of winter. Spring is the beginning.

Then summer comes. Summer makes everyone feel younger. Life is teeming with animals, outdoor play, and warmth. Trees are full, flowers bloomed, and the water is cool. We can look forward to barbecues, late night fires, lemonade, ice cream, swimming, and beaches. We live fast and we live free in the summer.

Next comes fall. Things start to slow down. Responsibilities become a little more apparent. We have to wear a light jacket when we go outside, but the weather is still fairly pleasant. We take more time to look around and appreciate the changing leaves.

Finally it's the season of winter. Like a conclusive celebration, we can look forward to Christmas. We spend time with family and friends. We are thankful for any warmth we can find and we celebrate life. We celebrate the past year. After Christmas, life can grow cold, bleak, and bitter. The frosty air bites at our faces. We can hardly go outside, but there's still beauty. Despite the cold, there's beauty in the dying winter. The trees are empty, the grass is brown, the roads are covered in slush, but the snowy white blanket cloaks the world in beauty.

Then we wait for spring.