There once was a little girl who was born and raised in sunshine and 70-something degrees.  Her life was pretty perfect, and the place she called home, paradise.  There was about as much reason to complain as there was need to check the daily weather forecast.

Now every day was lovely, just like the last, the sunny-70-something-degrees Sunday right on through to the sunny-70-something-degrees Saturday.  It was, however, in this world of never-ending nice days that the little girl often found herself saying, “I’ll do _________ tomorrow,” for she knew that tomorrow would be beautiful as well.  Eventually, some matters did get done, while others were put on lengthier to-do lists or just taken off of or forgotten from lists completely as the tomorrows came and went–the subsequent weeks, months, and years to follow in a similar fashion.

Then one day the not-so-little-anymore girl traveled to a land far far away where every day was different and every season extreme.  It was here where she was struck by a peculiar sense of urgency she had never witnessed before.

In this new place, when the sun was at its most extreme, the people made it a point to watch concerts in the park and take long walks by the water.

When the leaves changed colors, the people made it a point to bask in the vibrancy of Central Park and drink apple cider.

When the little white droplets fell from the sky, the people made it a point to admire window displays and go ice skating.

When the blossoms unraveled their delicate petals, the people made it a point to roll up their ankle cuffs and read their books on grassy lawns.

And when this girl finally experienced seasons for herself, she realized not only the immense beauty of what she had come from but also became excited for the imminent beauty that lay ahead.  For slowly but surely, she was beginning to understand and appreciate the import of seasons regardless of rain, shine, or allergy attacks.  And with that, she made it a point to sit down and write; for writing was what [one of the things] her current season had called her to do and with a sense of urgency was how her current city caused had her to live.

Thank you for the ones that have been.  Help me make the most of the one right now.  I entrust to you the ones still to come.  Amen.