Seasonal Anxiety

Photo by Leo

This time of year, with the beginning of the winter at hand, my mind wanders easily into those areas of grim reality, those bothersome shards of depression that seem so prevalent. Fall now, too often, brings sadness and doom, an uneasiness that comes with the seasonal change. It's still light but darkness is imminent. It's not dark yet but it's getting there.

There was a time when a guy like me waited for days like these, days when it would be so bright, then grey early and night would come with an anxious urgency. It was dark and night was fun, off to see your girl after a busy day that now was ending even though it would still be a long time 'til it was really finished. The darkness was comfort, a shield from the harshness of the day gone by. It was time to be free, release from the pressures and stresses of the day, walking briskly, hands in pockets, to the waiting arms of one who loved you most and best. She'd be waiting and bring you in with a smile of youth and passion that enveloped you, a brief glimpse of later.

Alas, there's no going back. But at least the memories can brighten the impending darkness and remind you that there was once a time when the plagues of life were few and the love you shared was the most important thing that you had.