Yes, this post got started by watching RENT. I like musicals and theatre. Get over it. In another post I might explain how watching and analyzing performing arts can teach you think critically about your own culture. Theatre as a way of knowing. Fascinating discussion.
Back to the real purpose of this post. As I listen to the song, it asks how do you measure time? Perhaps its the song, or the slight chill in the air that reminds me it’s fall and I’m literally transitioning to a new season or perhaps it’s the little girl sleeping in front of me that makes me realize I am entering a new season of love myself.
We all go through seasons of love and would imagine, most of them are very similar. Sure the circumstances are different, but like every Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter our seasons of love are essentially the same.
Life begins as we are totally dependant on others for our survival. The love of a child for their parents is so simple, yet so deep. It’s this dependence on others that helps with the bond between parents and children. This season of love is so subtle that I don’t think any of us realize when we leave it to transition into a new season.
As we grow older, love becomes focused on self. It may take different forms, but let’s face it, as we grow more independent in our teen and young adult years we grow to love ourselves. There’s nothing inherently wrong with self love. I think it’s vital to our growth as individuals. Even at times when I’ve hated myself or my life I still was exhibiting self love. It was about me and I did little to care, really care, about anyone else.
I think the first time I really noticed a season change in my life was when I met my wife. I thought I was doing just fine on my own. Though I will be the first to admit there was something missing. I filled that hole with work and friends and just assumed that was how my life would progress. Then I met Keiana and my world changed. It was as noticeable as the first snowflakes of winter. A beautiful blanket covering up the gloom that comes in late fall. The gloom that no one wants to talk about because we only want to talk about the beauty of the leaves changing and the crisp, cool air. However when the air changes from crisp to just cold, and the leaves have all fallen and the trees are bare there is a need for something to change. That’s when God sends in winter.
I think Winter gets a bad rap. It’s cold, but that just means we need a fire to move close to and hot cocoa to drink. It is a time when we need others more than ever. In my mind, this is the next season of love. I remember the first time I made a major career decision on the basis of ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ The realization that there is someone else instead of of just self can be shocking. Instead of running from the unknown, I embraced the new season. That embrace was the warmth that protected me from the cold I didn’t know existed. I was walking through a season of life that was growing cold and lonely, but I had ignored the signs that Fall had lost it’s beauty. That’s when I found a world of new beauty in my wife. It was now us against the world…standing together. Two independent people who found strength leaning in, ever so slightly, growing together.
Now the seasons are changing again. This season, is an awakening. Love. Pure love springing from me like the green grass appears from the frost-bitten earth. This little girl brought in the spring of our lives. Children are the rebirth of love. It’s not that love ever left, it’s just God decided we did not have enough love in our lives. We don’t need flowers either. The landscape looks perfect and complete, but when the first daffodils bloom or the spring tulips spread their petals we realize what was missing from the picture.
I don’t know what the next season of love is. At this point I don’t really care. I’m still trying to figure out this new life change. It’s scary, exciting and puzzling all at the same time. Bring it on.
