What is your favorite season of year? Why?

Let me be clear: I have a love-hate relationship with seasons. I love spring but hate allergies. I love summer but hate the heat. I love fall; it’s the most beautiful time of the year, but I hate the allergies. Last but not least, I love winter but hate the cold. So it’s not about which one is my favorite because I don’t get to enjoy them very much.

As a writer, I am inside most of the time, so dashing in and out for occasional shopping, visits, and appointments leaves me wanting. I have huge windows, so I am able to open the blinds and catch the beauty of the seasons.

As I have gotten older, I am less tolerant of the changes in seasons. However, I do remember as a child never wanting to be inside the house. My mother was the type that kicked you outside to get some fresh air because it was good for you. No matter what the season, we loved playing outside.

Eventually, adulthood hit and motherhood, and all of a sudden, going outside meant dashing in and out. Dropping kids off at school and going to work. So seasons turned into something totally different for me. Now, instead of having a favorite time of the year, I simply look out the window and say, “Oh my, how times have changed.”

As the years rolled on, the moments outside became more precious. The once routine act of stepping outside transformed into a rare opportunity to breathe deeply and appreciate the world around me, even if just for a moment. Balancing work, family, and everything in between, I learned to find beauty in the small, seemingly mundane parts of my life, no matter what time of year it was.

Winter’s early sunsets meant cozy evenings with family, wrapped in blankets watching our favorite movies. Spring brought the excitement of new beginnings, as my kids eagerly ran outside to play. Summer’s long days were filled with laughter and the sound of splashing water, while fall’s crisp air and vibrant leaves became a backdrop for family dinners and pumpkin patches.

In those brief, quiet moments when I could pause and reflect, I realized that life had come full circle. The seasons I once knew were now defined by shared experiences and the joy of watching my children grow. Each season had its unique charm, so I have learned to enjoy each time of year because they’re all so beautiful.

And so, looking out the window, gazing at the world outside, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. For the changing seasons, for the journey of motherhood, and for the countless moments, big and small, that shaped who I have become. Though times have indeed changed, the essence of my love for the outdoors and the passing of seasons remains steadfast, reminding me of the beauty in every phase of the year.