生命的盛夏与严冬

An unusually hot and wet spring this year
今年的春天出奇的潮湿闷热
was followed by an extremely hot and wet summer.
随之而来的夏天更是潮湿闷热到了极点
Sunny skies were constantly giving way to heavy showers
晴朗的天空经常会给大暴雨让步
only to be replaced with more sun and heat.
最后到来的却是更加灼热的阳光，更燥热的温度
This combination has made for a few changes
这样的天气组合让我们一家人不得不做出改变
from our regular Summer here in the mountains of my home.
不再像往常的山中避暑那样度日
The limbs on the trees are growing twice as fast as usual
树上的枝桠长得比平时快了一倍
and their leaves are huge.
树叶也大得出奇
The Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisies and Black Eyed Susan’s
野胡萝卜花，雏菊花和黑眼苏珊花
are growing waist high in the meadows
在草丛中已经长到了齐腰高
and on the sides of the roads.
还蔓生到了路边
The bush in my front yard is shooting up as fast as a Sunflower.
我们前院里的灌木丛已经和向日葵一般高
The grass in my yards is thicker and taller than ever.
院子里的草也比任何时候都要深厚修长
Butterflies and Bumble Bees are everywhere
蝴蝶和熊蜂四处飞舞
as are the Yellow Jackets and Hornets.
小黄蜂和马蜂也是
Mama deer to feast on the abundance of crab apples on the ground.
前来享用落在地上满满一堆的沙果
Squirrels with acorns are scurrying up the trees
松鼠们抱着橡子在树上急速跑来跑去
 and baby birds are flying out of their nests.
雏鸟从鸟巢里飞出来
Everywhere I look there is an explosion of growth and life.
我放眼四望，所见之处，万物生长，生机勃勃。
It is incredible to see.
这景象真令人惊叹
We humans are a little different than the rest of nature, however.
不过，我们人类与自然界的其他物种有些不同
Yes, our bodies do grow best in optimal conditions.
是的，当我们的身体处于最优的条件下时，就能呈现最佳状态
We grow healthy and strong when we have good food, clean water, fresh air, and plenty of exercise.
当我们拥有优质的食物，干净的水源，清新的空气，以及充足的锻炼，我们就会长得又健康又强壮
On the inside, though,
不过，我们的内心却不是如此
it is often during the hardest times that we grow the most.
人的内心往往是在最艰难的处境中成长的最快
During the times of death, loss, and suffering
当我们面对死亡，失去和痛苦的时候
is when our souls grow stronger.
我们的灵魂就会变得更加坚强
During the bleakest Wintertime
在最凛冽的严冬
is when our hearts grow more loving.
我们的心会更加充满爱
During the worst times of our lives
在我们一生中最糟糕的处境中
is when we help each other the most.
我们才会最懂得相互帮助
Why is it that we grow kinder, stronger, and wiser during the tough times as well as the good ones?
为什么，我们在艰难的时候，会和顺遂的时候一样，变得更加善良，更加坚强，更加睿智呢？
Why is it that the worst in this world often brings out the best in us?
为什么，最糟糕的世界，往往能成就最好的我们？
No one knows for sure,
没有人确切知道答案
but I am happy with the mystery.
但我对这样的神秘感十分满足
Live well then.
所以，请好好生活吧
Love much.
请多多的去爱
Grow strong.
请让自己强大起来
Be the person nature meant for you to be
成为生活希望你成为的那个人
 during the Winter nights
无论是在人生的严寒冬季
as well as the Summer days.
还是在人生的繁华盛夏