SEASONS | SUE HUBBELL
Finding solace in nature, navigating middle age, and remembering that to everything there is a season.
“We sit here in our comparative dull world thinking that we know all and see all.”
Humbled by Nature
As humans atop the creation web of life, we tend to think we know all and understand all. And yet, despite science, theology, and curiosity, we still do not fully understand why we dream, the magnetic trigger that drives bird migration, or human consciousness. Mankind has had some incredible discoveries over the years, but the beauty of nature is its ability to humble the most powerful mammal. People may have been made in the image of God, given free will, and entrusted with the care of the earth, but there is still so much we do not know. Away from man-made mechanisms and fortifications, a person will discover how vulnerable they really are.
“Winter is not the enemy. It is a time of less going about and brings quiet and peace.”
Season of Peace
Much like the bitter cold of winter, the end of life is often viewed as a feared, fear-filled inevitability. But much like life’s later days, winter is a time to slow down, reflect, and reevaluate. The yearly cycle of slower living better prepares us for the cycle of life. It is not a season to rush through, ignore, or avoid (how could we even try). Winter is harsh, but through hibernation, retreat, and dying off, nature teaches us the beautiful cycle of life. We do not need to fear the cold confines, but rather rejoice in the gift of rest. We are not built for perpetual motion, like machines made from flesh and sinew. We are living organisms in kinship with the natural world rather than with machinery. Let us take a cue from Mother Earth and welcome the seasons as they come, each one vital to a healthy life.
“We have Time, or at least the awareness of it. We have lived long enough and seen enough to understand in a more than intellectual way that we will die, and so we have learned to live as though we are mortal, making our decisions with care and thought because we will not be able to make them again. Time for us will have an end; it is precious, and we have learned its value.”
An Appreciation for Time
There is great beauty in youthful exuberance and in the wisdom of the elderly. But in middle age, there is the beauty of both functionality and the value of time. At 40 or 50, we become more aware of our mortality. The body shows signs of slowing down, and the mind is filled with memories and experiences that accumulate over the decades. Recognizing one's limitations in that moment is a gift that fosters a greater appreciation for time. Time is precious—something not to be wasted or taken for granted. Mortality comes for us all, but with wisdom, we do not fear the inevitable; instead, we pursue our purpose with greater care.
“Because our culture has assigned us no real role, we can make up our own.”
Freedom with Age
Something that never occurred to me was the lack of designation for older women in society. As Hubbell puts it: “It is a good time to be a grown-up woman with individuality, strength, and crotchets. We are wonderfully free. We live long. Our children are the independent adults we helped them to become, and though they may still want our love, they do not need our care. Social rules are so flexible today that nothing we do is shocking. There are no political barriers to us anymore. Provided we stay healthy and can support ourselves, we can do anything, have anything, and spend our talents any way that we please.” What I thought was a blank section of life now seems like the promise of a fresh start and a new beginning.