and he watched his children's heart break

"It was fall and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose's. The boy helped his sister to her feet and they made their way home. Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day's woe's and triumph's on their face. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive.
Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog. 
Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. 
Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him.”

-Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird