I was thinking about…

How Seasons Shape Our Memories: Reflections on Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall

by Andy Lee

I was thinking about…how the change of seasons can act as a mental bookmark for our lives. As the leaves here in Nashville just begin to shift from green to the familiar hues of fall, I find myself drawn into reflection. The air carries a certain crispness, that first bite of cool signaling that summer has packed its bags and fall is here to claim its spot. And with it comes the flood of memories that each season carries in tow.

Fall is the season of nostalgia, isn’t it? Maybe it’s the colors—the reds, oranges, and yellows that can’t help but feel like an old friend’s warm embrace. I think back to my childhood raking leaves into massive piles just to jump in, the crinkle of leaves underfoot, the smell of burning wood in the air, and the anticipation of Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving dinners. Even now, the simple act of pulling on a sweater or drinking a hot cup of cider can send me spiraling back to those days when the sun dipped earlier, casting long shadows that hinted at the year winding down. It’s like every year, fall quietly nudges us to look back and take stock of where we’ve been, reminding us of the comfort in routine and the beauty in letting things go.

Winter rolls in with its own kind of magic, though I have to admit, it’s not always my favorite. There’s a certain stillness in winter that forces us to slow down. When I think of winter, I think of huddling around the fireplace, listening to the wind howl outside like it’s got something to prove. Snow days where the world seemed to pause, wrapped in a blanket of white silence. There’s a peacefulness there, sure, but also a kind of isolation. The shorter days, the long nights—they remind us that sometimes, we need to retreat to find our strength. Winter memories are often the quietest, the ones where we learned to find light even when the sun seemed scarce.

Then, there’s Spring—the comeback kid. Just when you think you can’t take another gray day, the daffodils start poking through, and suddenly there’s this energy in the air, an urgency. Spring’s all about beginnings, about dusting off the cobwebs and diving back into life with that first breath of warm air. For me, spring is the season of hope, when the world shakes off its frost and bursts back into color. I remember planting seeds in the garden, the thrill of the first buds on the trees, and the mornings where you could finally ditch the jacket. It’s the season that tells you, in no uncertain terms, that no matter how tough the winter, there’s always something new on the horizon.

And then, of course, there’s Summer. As a kid, summer was freedom—long days spent outside, running barefoot through the grass, the smell of sunscreen and the sizzle of burgers on the grill. Even now, there’s something about summer that makes the world feel wider, like anything is possible. Summer memories are loud and bright; they linger like the sun on your skin after a day at the beach. Road trips with the windows down, fireworks lighting up the sky, and the way time seemed to stretch out endlessly. It’s funny how even now, when summer rolls around, that feeling of boundless possibility still creeps in, making me want to stay up late and chase sunsets.

With fall approaching, I find myself in that reflective headspace, thinking about how each season has left its mark on my life in different ways. The cycles of nature have this way of shaping not just our surroundings but our very sense of time and self. Each season carries its own set of memories, and as they shift, so do we. As I look out my window and see those first splashes of gold and red, I’m reminded that no matter where we are or what we’re going through, the seasons will always change, bringing with them the chance to look back, look forward, and remember.

So here’s to the seasons and the memories they hold. May we always find joy in the warmth of summer, hope in the renewal of spring, peace in the quiet of winter, and comfort in the nostalgia of fall.

Stay reflective, keep changing with the seasons! 🍁