The Seasons of my life..

Like that very famous TV series.. which has been going for years.. and years..

 'The days of our lives'.. 

today I look at the seasons of my life...

Those who do not understand the cycle of a vineyard, seek to live in an illusion that every day should be the same.. that life should be one continual harvest, free of pain or any hardship.

 

The pruning of our life is the most important but most severe of any season - Pruning is a practice involving the selective removal . Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, and increasing the harvest of fruit. 
We are all pruned at some stage of our life.. we have to be pruned in order to produce fruit! If we're  not pruned, and yes, as severe as a vineyard is pruned.. down to the bare bones of our existence.. .

 

We would eventually just become all vine and no fruit! We would become out of control! 
The next stage after our pruning is the spring of our life.. the vine bursts forth with new growth, new fruit, new life..

  

Bud break.. the beginning of the vintage...

Pretty soon, our ugly gnarly bareness is covered with the beauty of new leaves.. and gradually, new fruit is formed on the vine.

 

 This is the season after the pruning.. when the vines are at their prettiest, their fullest, these vines have been well dressed by the vine-keeper.. this  picture was taken  in Marlborough in New Zealand.. land of the Sauvignon Blanc

and after a good few months.. the fruit is formed on the vine.. now its up to the elements to ripen that fruit.. grapes need sunshine, water, wind, good fertile soil in order to produce a good sweet crop..

The harvesting of wine grapes is one of the most crucial steps in the process of winemaking.   The time of harvest is determined primarily by the ripeness of the grape as measured by sugar, acid, and tannin levels with winemakers basing their decision to pick based on the style of wine they wish to produce

 

 After it is harvested, it is stemmed,  then crushed, and skins removed..Next comes the time for resting that fruit.. it must mature..the best wines are aged in barrels of up to 5-7 years! 

 

  Aah.. eventually, wine is bottled and off to the market..

Next comes the serving, and enjoying of it..

Our lives are but a brief season.. we must make the best of every day, every season, every opportunity.. I urge you today.. use your talents.. your gifts in season.. before it too late!

 I'm off to a funeral of a dear friend today..  a funeral always makes me sit up and take note of my blessings, and my journey  ahead.. and how we need to utilize each precious day..

I don't want to get to the end of my life, and find that I have just lived the length of it.. I want to have lived the width of it as well..