The Last Few Days in Chicago - The Parallel Seasons!

When I first came to Chicago at the end of last year, this was the view from the apartment:

 

Now, this is what we see when we look out onto Michigan Avenue:

The same with the parks:

and the tennis courts:

and the rest of the city:

Perhaps we have these drastic changes in season for a reason? So that we can start afresh each year? Or perhaps we appreciate the summer days so much more when the rest of the year is so chilly and dark? Either way, I am so glad that summer is here!