I have written on the importance of greeting and honoring each season in order to deepen one’s spirituality. It took me years of wanting to do this earnestly myself, to be able to understand what a diff erence it makes between existing and living a full life in tune with the God of all seasons. I try to reach out to all those who, like me, would love to have more time to appreciate the subtle changes each season brings and thereby “pay attention” to divine messages contained therein. What I discovered is what I want to share: It is a relatively simple transition to go from the blurry passage of time to slowing down just long enough to be a Noticer! I especially want to share this discovery with those of the younger generation of adults who it seems to me are so hungry for meaning and purpose. In the book, which I tentatively entitled, “A Seasoned Life,” I try to describe the gift of each season, what to notice, and how to greet it, honor it, “keep” it, and how learning to do that enriches our lives. Each chapter ends with a few poems and songs that celebrate it, decorating ideas that help greet that season, and recipes that have been longtime favorites I look forward to each time that season rolls around. Becoming a grandmother was an opportunity to pass on to my two grandsons and three granddaughters the many simple and delightful ways I slow down long enough to enjoy each approaching and lasting season. Th is book is an opportunity to expand the number of people I could gift with these practices beyond my children, grandchildren, and former students, retreat participants and spiritual directees. My hope is that younger readers of the book might discover the richness of what I propose long before the age I was when I finally understood its wisdom!
