Seasons

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

—Job 6:11

It seems cruel that major life events tend to happen in seasons. During college application season, I remember my shame and embarrassment about not being accepted to my dream school. It was even more tender because one of my best friends had been accepted to that same school. We had been walking together, and I hit a dead end while she kept walking.

There’s also the wedding season. Weddings are especially hard if you’ve recently broken up with someone, or if it’s been a long time since you’ve kissed someone and really meant it.

The next wave is the baby wave. Announcing your pregnancy is a highly fraught process, knowing that it will make someone else cry, possibly in front of you, but more likely in the car later, or after they hang up the phone. I’ve been on both sides of those tears. For a while several of us commiserated, calling one another after we wiped our tears, but that little band became smaller each month. While I was thrilled for those who became pregnant, the few of us still left wondered who would leave next for the land of bellies and baby gear.