The Changing of Seasons After Losing a Loved One

As the Summer turns to Fall, most people are thinking of cozy sweaters and pumpkins. For me, I will never forget a conversation that I had with Nick. 

It was just about this time 5 years ago. We were chatting on the phone. He lived on the water in Boston. Next to him was a small harbor. He could not believe they were taking this harbor down for the winter. He loved watching the boats come and go. Then he stated how exciting it would be to watch it get put back together the following Spring. He did not live to Spring. He never got to see the harbor being rebuilt. Every year at this time, that is my first thought.

The Seasons of Grief

As the world around us changes with each passing season, those who have lost a loved one often find themselves caught in a unique emotional tide. 

The shift from summer’s warmth to autumn’s cool embrace, or from winter’s chill to the first breath of spring, can stir feelings that are difficult to put into words. While the world moves forward with its natural rhythm, the bereaved may feel anchored in place, tethered to a different kind of time.

The changing of seasons serves as a reminder of the passage of time, a marker that life continues even when it feels like it shouldn’t. Each season carries its own memories—perhaps a summer vacation spent together, a winter holiday celebration, or the simple joy of raking leaves in the fall. These memories, once comforting, can now bring an ache, a longing for what was and will never be again. Each season offers its own challenges and comforts, its own opportunities to feel the weight of loss and, perhaps, to begin to carry it differently.

Grief does not move in sync with the calendar. It ebbs and flows, often defying the logic of time. It’s not about moving on; it’s about moving with—carrying the memory of our loved ones with us.

In the end, the changing of seasons can be a gentle teacher, showing us that while we may not control the passage of time, we can choose how we carry the memory of those we’ve lost. As the world turns, we can find ways to honor their spirit, knowing that they are woven into the very fabric of our days, no matter the season.