Early on the future seemed eternal. Summers held the world in endless, sun drenched glory. Possibilities fell like autumn leaves on a windy day, dancing and beckoning in the brilliant blue sky. Winter came on like a white Christmas coupled with anticipation of the new year to come. We were forever young. Untouchable. Unbreakable.
Along the way we unknowingly passed a milestone. It laid at the side of the path covered in moss and shrouded in vines. Something had changed, not for better or worse, but for the fact that life can be no other way. The time had come to leave the world of endless summers behind, whether reluctantly, or otherwise.
With each milestone passed, the world has changed little, yet looks very different as we ramble on. The paths we walk began from an infinite number of starting points and scatter hither and yon on the wind of randomness. Free will plays its part, but is no match for the unseen forces that command the unexpected taking of one path over another.
With many mile markers behind us we may now find the same autumn leaves to be the clear and present harbinger of coming winter. Each year has it’s four seasons and they are not shy about the play they are acting in honor of the cycle of life. As we journey from year to year that cycle becomes ever clearer in our own reflections.
Milestones passed mean we leave some things behind, and if we are lucky, take new treasures with us. Though some would beg to differ, there is no more true beauty in youth than in old age; for not all that is beautiful manifests in a looking glass. In passing the stones, walking the road, we make trades of old thoughts that no longer serve us for new ones we can carry as a guiding light. A light that becomes ever more comforting as true winter approaches. We have no choice but to continue the journey. Knowing the way is not an option. Knowing ourselves is.
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