3 minute read
Thoughts from the Editor
Thoughts from the Editor
Over the past two weeks, I've found myself engaged in about six conversations revolving around the topic of seasons. Typically, I don't delve into discussions about the changing seasons, except when the onset of the hot season is upon us in the late parts of May. The unusual frequency of these conversations piqued my interest, compelling me to delve deeper.
One particularly memorable discussion was with my wife, whom avid readers of my articles may recognize as the garden master in our home. Recently, she shared insights into the seasonal behaviors of our fruit trees. Some trees prematurely shed their leaves and slowly blossom in spring. Others fruit early or delay until the deep summer to yield their bounty.
What struck me was her observation that even when it's challenging to discern a tree's type based on its current state, it remains inherently true to its kind.
Take, for example, our Cotton-Candy Aprium tree—a unique stone fruit hybrid that produces apricot-sized fruits with a flavor as whimsical as its name suggests. This tree, my personal favorite, has a brief but eagerly awaited fruit period each summer, bringing joy to family and friends.
Contrary to what one might think, this tree doesn't just become a Cotton-Candy Aprium during its flowering in spring or cease to be one after its fruit has vanished in summer. It is a Cotton-Candy Aprium throughout the year, embodying the familiar natural cycle of dormancy, loss, flourishing, and bounty.
With each season comes its specific tasks: pruning, thinning, harvesting, and fertilizing, all designed to enhance the harvest and the tree's health. A single seed's potential to establish an orchard exemplifies the impact of these seasonal tasks.
In the life cycle of a tree, overlooking a season can lead to adverse outcomes. And this concept mirrors our own lives, where challenging periods can foster resilience and hope. Seasons of rest offer tranquility and rejuvenation.
Today's pervasive myth suggests we can somehow shortcut time, seasons, processes, and even nature itself. Yet, incessant messages promote instant gratification and perpetual readiness that flood our inboxes and screens, undermining the virtues of patience and persistence.
However, the tree's life cycle underscores that each season is vital for our well-being, growth, joy, and hope. Attempting to bypass or abbreviate any season only hampers our development and diminishes our happiness.
You might currently be experiencing a life season that feels incongruous with the observable growth and vibrancy of the spring season. I encourage you to embrace and honor your current moment and process. Acknowledging its purpose while holding onto the promise of renewal and growth that each season inherently offers to us. Recognize that this moment, however challenging, holds significance and is integral to your journey, much like each season contributes to the life of a fruitful tree.
