I was thinking the other day how the seasons are so different in making their entrances.

Spring is shy and coy. She is bashful and loving and filled with Life as her green shoots, young growth and tiny blossoms emerge petal by petal. Suddenly the toddler emerges as a beautiful young lady, dressed in her creams and pinks, mauves and blues, yellows and whites. Spring is filled with innocence and joy.

Summer is passionate and fiery. She is hot-blooded and enthused, eager to show the world what they are missing. She is Spring’s “older” sister, a contradiction of glamor, fun-loving and fully embraces all that Life has to offer. Summer is exuberant and playful.

Autumn is a settling of Summer’s wild abandonment. It was amusing and entertaining while it lasted, but now it’s time to get serious. Autumn is the season to slow down and seriously consider one’s choices. This is the time to contemplate and admire what has been accomplished; to enjoy the bounty. . . .

At last we come to Winter.

It’s interesting to note that Winter is considered the Old Man. Why is that? This season can be cranky and grumpy; difficult and complaining; bad-tempered and crabby. He shows his feelings by tossing snow-storms and rain-storms. But he can show his good side too with displays of winter-berries and holly. Best of all, Winter has a festive spirit as well.

Old Man Winter tends to slow down and hibernate–just like the senior season he is.

But we all know that eventually, shy and bashful Spring will emerge and make her entrance again, proving once more that seasons come and go in their own distinctive ways.