Taking Baby Steps Into Spring

by Deanna 

Earlier in the week Carol posted about our need for some quiet in our lives, Leigh talked about her need to meditate and the various ways she accomplishes that practice.  Linda gave us info on measuring pixels on our Smart Phones with new apps and the value of the more the better, and Kim in her poetic style convinced us that there is much more behind the silence of nature than what we seem to hear.  And by the way, right now Kim and her family are on a wonderful vacation out west, check her on Facebook and Instagram where she has captured some gorgeous pictures of the Grand Canyon. 

So that leaves me to talk about something profound and meaningful.  I don’t think that is gonna happen today.  There is just nothing profound in me right at the moment.  I feel like the time of the year, not still winter, but yet still not spring.  Kind of at that hovering point where we could get more snow, or I could wander and spot some early wildflowers blooming.   Many of our FOL sisters live much further south than me, Kim, Leigh, Kelly, Dotti, and Linda and then there is Terri in Arizona who is in  a constant state of warmth eventho she would debate that when it hits the 40 degree mark.  Their recent pictures have all been filled with the signs of spring, new growth, warmth and sunshine, while my world is still in that ugly state of brown.  Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely not having a pity party.  I am just anxious for those first touches of spring, those beautiful tiny emerging sprouts.  I found this wonderful quote "Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means you've decided to look beyond the imperfections."  And that is exactly what I am doing at this time of the year, looking beyond those imperfections of brown grass and leafless trees.  Our weather is kinda like the bird above, taking baby steps into Spring. 

Growing up in the great state of Texas, Dallas to be specific, Spring was always in full bloom in March.  A new Spring frock was always one of my birthday gifts, which is March 10^th,  and yes, another year has passed.  I wouldn’t have to wait to wear it, the warmth had arrived.  Leaves were sprouting on trees and bushes and flowers were in bloom. 

Texas Mountain Laurel

We were blessed with a couple of days earlier this week where the temps actually rose above 70, thus producing early early signs of  budding on trees, which tells me that it will arrive, always later than what I want.  On this date last year, it was doing this….

Today it stretched to hit 50.   But looking at the image above makes me believe that we are way ahead of last year.   In the meantime I buy tulips and daffodils from Trader Joe’s and dream of the days to come.  

When the cold, harsh winter has given its last breath,

When the sky above shows life instead of death,

When the claws, reaching to the frozen sky becomes decorated with

leaves,

When the animals-long in hiding- scurry from trees,

We know winter has ended.

When the frost on grass is replaced with sweet dew,

When the fields become dotted with flowers, reminding me of you,

When the lonely silence becomes filled with melodies, 

When you feel warm air, erasing bad memories

We know winter has ended.

When the hard, bare ground becomes painted with green, 

When the frost-bitten air becomes fresh and clean,

When the coats and boots are all stored away,

When the playgrounds become occupied again with child's play,

We know winter has ended.

When you hear the pleasant sound of children's laughter,

When the air is filled with joy- long sought after,

When the world is filled with sunlight, brighter and longer,

When the song of Mother Nature becomes stronger and stranger,

Spring has begun.