The Journey Inward

Our daughter grew up during the age of Elmo who manifested an innocence and a clear and certain joy of life. One of Elmo’s VCR’s that I remember distinctly was a Christmas special entitled, “Elmo Saves Christmas”. In this storyline Elmo wishes that Christmas happened every day of the year and when his wish comes true things begin to fall apart.

I’m not sure if many of you have seen “Elmo Saves Christmas” from 1996- but for some strange reason it has stayed with me all of these years. I think it was the idea of waking up to the same thing every day-Christmas over and over and over again-and then I imagine waking up to the same sunny day over and over and over again. I think I might come apart at the seams. Although winter in Sag Harbor may be a month or two too long- it is the looking forward to the next season that keeps life new for me. As the summer heat begins to wane and the leaves begin to look timeworn -I start thinking about turtlenecks and sweaters and boots-I think of soup in the crock pot with some homemade cornbread- I start to feel the crisp air and envision the broad brush of fall colors. The seasons transport me from any sense of the mundane and set before me a new canvas-a fresh start- a labeled box in the attic with relics and memories of the past that will spill into the living room singing an autumn song.

There are those who dread the darkness-the way too early sunsets, but this fading light encourages us to travel inward -settle into our soul nest- to go indoors -to rest-to pull up a blanket and a book and feel the impending peace - let the rush and busyness of summer settle-leaving deeply etched memories while making room for profound and reflective quiet. This human hibernation spawns our lives’ rhythm- a rejuvenation of our being – a circle of seasons that creates and recreates us year after year.

I don’t believe I could settle for summer all year-I could not retire my sweaters and winter boots. As much as I love vibrant green, I also love the yellow and orange and red - and even gray from time to time. I love the anticipation of what comes next-this fundamental shift in our inner galaxy.

And while Elmo does save Christmas by restoring it to its arrival only once a year-he does remind us that the spirit of Christmas can remain in our hearts throughout the year. And so it is with the seasons- as we say goodbye to summer, its warmth can remain with us throughout the year as we welcome the beauty that each new season offers. The harvesting of fall, the quiet of winter, the emergence of spring and the dance of summer.

“Aren't we lucky the seasons are four? Think of a year with one less…or one more?”

(from ‘Frederick’ by Leo Lionni)