The Mixed Up Brains of Lisa Weinstein

Seasons of Love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?

When I first heard these beautiful lyrics on the Broadway stage through the talented actors who starred in RENT, I had no idea that some day, several years later, I would be sitting in a school auditorium, watching my daughter Melissa and her chorus peers reach deep into their hearts and bring these poignant words to life once again....with much more meaning, as they bid farewell to their middle school years.  

How do you measure a year?  A month?  A day?  A moment?  A warm summer's evening?  A setting sun?  A time in your life that will never come again?

Melissa accepted her middle school diploma in June, excitement on her face as she greeted the promise of endless days of summer.  Hours and hours of bright sunshine, unbearable heat that settles deep into the soul, humid evenings with little relief, swimming, biking, and savoring every moment like it just might last forever.

Alas....it does not.

I have often thought of the seasons as a square.  The bottom line, with unending darkness, bone chilling cold, and days wrapped in blankets, represents the long winter months.  My husband Bob, Melissa, and I enjoy cozy evenings together, where favorite TV shows promote family togetherness.   We venture out on weekends to break the monotony, wishing for warmer weather, yet enjoying our time together.

As the line on the right of the square climbs upward, the days grow longer and spring brings the world back to life.  Saturdays feature soccer games, where April's warm jackets give way to shorts and T's by June's end.  We drink in the beauty of crisp, fresh air, blue skies, blooming flowers of every size and color, spring chorus concerts, trips to the city, birthdays, holidays, and waning school days.

The top line starts with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, when we can still see wisps of sunlight as late as 9 pm.

By the middle of August, we begin to notice an ever so slight difference in the sure and steady sunset.  Yes, the heat and humidity are still ever present, however, a glance at the summer sky at 7:30 pm now reveals darkness where two months ago, daylight once stood.

We try to hold back these moments, but the slightly shorter days are there to warn us, to remind us, to ensure us that in only a few short weeks, summer will inevitably give way to the final line on the square.  This line spirals downward, as we dust off sweatshirts and jackets, readjust to school routines,   purchase pumpkins and pies, spend endless hours at the mall in search of the perfect gift, and reaffirm our love for family and friends as the holiday season rushes in with open and welcome arms.

Each time of year brings with it unexpected joy.  For even when we long for the next line on the square, we are always together as a family, living, sharing, and loving every moment...every season of love.

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