As I mourn the loss of daylight hours, I relish the gain in light with each leaf that falls.1 Autumn begins my survival for winter; without the leaves decent, I would be frightened by the lack of luster that only bright light can bring.2

Each time I step outside, more light appears. It’s slow, but apparent. Light seems to change just when I need it to. It’s as if nature is adjusting a balance— tree canopies3 sit on the left pan of the scale, light sits on the right. Brightness is balanced as the trees’ leaves fall. If the hours in the day are to lessen, then the leaves must move to bring in brightness.

There’s comfort under the canopy of trees. Shielded from the light, cooled by shade, and relaxed by the regulated radiance, trees’ leaves give me contentment.4

I’m also equally content sitting on the ground under an open sky, particularly in the winter.

Even though the falling leaves of autumn are warning us of winter to come, this process is a welcome necessity to balance the light for the shorter days. When it happens, I’m reminded of how much I miss the openness of the garden.

Winter

If I can’t control the length of day, I’m happy to lend a hand in the amount of light that lands on my garden, Helen’s Haven. Deciduous5 trees have been planted so I can balance the light in my winter garden and my mood. Creating seasonal tenor with the change in flora builds a better garden through diversity,6 and a way to add seasonal interest.

Even with the shorter days, I welcome winter to view the open garden. My garden is exposed and bright, the branches of the trees are bare and open for inspection. As I look up in my winter garden, the framework of my summer’s cathedral-like canopy forms uncluttered lines of communication for confessions.7 I share all of my professions8 as I tend to my land. Winter is not my favorite season, but I built a garden that allows me to enjoy this time more than I ever thought possible.

Spring

Just when I need it the most, the scale begins to tip9. The days are growing longer and the trees begin to leaf10. The leaves tend to improve my mood. Life all around me stirs11 as the days lengthen. Fresh and bright, most trees have glowing12 green leaves in spring. This wonder has me looking up to slowly watch the sky close in. As days broaden the balance changes—the tree canopy on the left pan of the scale fills in, the light on the right balances out. It’s perfection at its best.

Summer

The cloak of summer’s canopy—with a cathedral-like quality—reveals greenery hovering down,13 allowing sunlight to lightly kiss my cheek. The leaves of the trees are welcomed in summer to manage heat, intensity14, and length of the season. Comfort is sought under the canopy of the trees.

Then the cycle begins again.

If you’ve lived in an area for a period of time, you become programed15 to the seasons. Just when you’re ready for a change, the scales begin to tip, and it’s always in your favor.

1. 我为白天的时间逐渐缩短而感到惋惜，因此对树叶落下后倾泻下来的那些阳光很是珍惜。mourn: 为失去……而悲哀，为……感到遗憾；relish: 玩味，欣赏。

2. 秋天开始我便为如何挨过冬天做准备了，没有了像模像样的树叶，我会因一切都没有光彩感到恐惧，唯有明亮的光线才能带来这种光彩。decent: 像样的，尚好的；luster: 光彩。

3. tree canopy: 树冠。

4. radiance: 光辉，闪烁；content-ment: 满意，满足。

5. deciduous: （树木）落叶的。

6. tenor: 基调；flora: 植物群。

7. 我向冬天的花园望去，夏天枝繁叶茂的如教堂般的华冠现在变成了简洁利落的对白，坦坦荡荡。uncluttered: 简洁的，利落的。

8. profession: （信念、观点或感情的）公开表示，表白。

9. tip: 倾斜。

10. leaf: v. 开始长叶。

11. stir:（使）轻轻拂动。

12. glowing: 发出柔和光亮的。

13. greenery: 青葱的草木；hover: 上下左右摇摆。

14. intensity: （光的）强度。

15. programmed: 循规蹈矩的，按部就班的

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