seasons

moving to dallas was fun for a few reasons, one of which was the fact that dallas has seasons. i know that our friends in the northeast would beg to differ, but when you grow up in san diego (which is beautifully boring), dallas actually has something to offer when it comes to spring, summer, autumn and winter. sometimes we get lots of snow, and other times we get nothing but 107 degree days.  and in between, we revel in the crisp air of autumn or sweet smell of spring flowers.

while some people might still wonder why i love this (who could love 107 degree days?!), i know exactly why: i love change. just when i start to get weary, there’s a glimpse of something new around the corner. a fresh perspective, a new energy, a chance to start over. i love the feel of the first fall breeze after days and days of blazing sun.  i even love the feel of a hot day, because it means the prospect of wearing shorts and drinking iced tea. i love the prospect of a new apartment, clean and ready for me to move in and start fresh. i always loved the new school year — new teachers, new classrooms, new books, new activities.

in residency, we change rotations every four weeks. just a month ago, i was excited to finish up my night float month, and move on to caring for little premature babes. today, i am thankful for a really meaningful month filled with learning, and yet am itching for monday, when i start a much more restful rotation, which will give me the opportunity to learn about how children grow and develop.  and i am reminded of how thankful i am for seasons…

enjoying the breeze of change.

– court

“seasons” by nichole nordeman

every evening sky, an invitation
to trace the patterned stars
and early in july, a celebration
for freedom that is ours
and I notice You
in children’s games
in those who watch them from the shade
every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

and even when the trees have just surrendered
to the harvest time
forfeiting their leaves in late september
and sending us inside
still i notice You when change begins
and i am braced for colder winds
i will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
you are autumn

and everything in time and under heaven
finally falls asleep
wrapped in blankets white, all creation
shivers underneath
and still i notice you
when branches crack
and in my breath on frosted glass
even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

and everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
teaching us to breathe
what was frozen through is newly purposed
turning all things green
so it is with You
and how You make me new
with every season’s change
and so it will be
as You are re-creating me
summer, autumn, winter, spring