Goodbye, spring
Shin Hye-suk
As I sit by my little green terrace at home, nestled not far from Mount Nam in Seoul, it feels like the beautifully colored roses are slowly reaching their full bloom. Time really does pass so quickly. Even the most powerful individuals in the world cannot control time.
May, known as the queen of all seasons, transforms Korea's mountains and fields into a lush green paradise adorned with vibrant wildflowers, creating a picturesque landscape. The scenery toward Mount Nam, filled with beautiful roses and other wildflowers, is equally stunning. Beyond the winding furrows, the field is lush with plants, offering a visual feast that refreshes the eyes and relaxes the mind.
Looking back over the past five months while sitting in my small garden, I notice the light green leaves gradually deepening in color, signaling the transition to early summer. Despite the full bloom of roses, it still feels like the beginning of the season.
Creating this small garden was one of my many New Year's resolutions, and I'm proud to see it accomplished. In January and February, I was filled with ambition, my eyes shining with plans for the year. By March, I was attending various spring festivals, sometimes as many as five events a week.
For someone like me, who works extensively with flowers, spring is a bustling season. From Valentine's Day in February to Parents' Day and Teachers' Day in May, and the reception party decorations for embassies and foreign chambers of commerce, it has been a whirlwind of meaningful activities.
Now, as June arrives, I bid farewell to the vibrant spring. It's a bittersweet moment, realizing that the season of rebirth and renewal has come to an end. Yet, this farewell also marks a new beginning. We're at the midpoint of the year, and I encourage myself to live the rest of it more faithfully. I take out the pieces of my dreams one by one, reminding myself that there are still many New Year's resolutions that haven't been started yet due to the busyness of daily life. Has it really been five months already? There are still seven months left! I cheer myself on. There is still plenty of time to achieve more.
Goodbye, dear spring. Thank you for the beauty and the fond memories. Now, I look forward to what summer has in store.
As I say goodbye to spring, I embrace the arrival of summer with a heart full of hope and determination. The passing of each season reminds me of the cyclical nature of life, urging me to cherish every moment and strive toward my dreams. Goodbye, spring, and welcome, summer. Let's make the rest of this year as vibrant and fulfilling as the first half has been.
Shin Hye-suk (sinesu@naver.com), who also goes by Shindy, completed a doctorate in sociology and has devoted two decades of her life to academic pursuits at a university in Japan. She is also a florist and has served as president of the Rotary International Seoul Club Korea.