Oh, Spring – Are you really here?
So, how’s the year treating you? I know in my neck of the woods we’re ready for spring. The winter hasn’t been all that harsh; certainly not as harsh as it has been in the northeast portion of the country, but it starts to wear on a person after a while. Of course, we’d take those truckloads of moisture they’ve been hauling off up in the northeast any day.
The world has been frozen in grays and browns for months, and we are looking forward to the signs of green popping up through the ground. Unfortunately, our area is prone to the tease of spring. We get these little indications that the season is changing, the trees start budding out, and then spring runs a little further down the road leaving the buds covered in frost. Today the tease seems to be forgotten as the birds chirp outside the window and the temperature grows to a pleasant eighty degrees.
For me, the coming of spring means baseball season is right around the corner. Hopefully, my Rangers will have a better season. Last year was a true disappointment after the accomplishments of the two previous seasons. It also means it’s time to get the fishing gear ready. That too was a disappointment last year. We spent way too few days around a lake. I definitely have to fix that this year.
Winter hasn’t been totally unproductive though. I published The Ladder Climber in October and I’ve worked on several other novels over the months. I think another novel is on the horizon and life has added a few more experiences to deepen my knowledge and creativity. My middle son got married and our family grew a little larger. The Bulldog teams had strong basketball seasons.
The seasons change, just as life changes. We struggle through the winters and long for days in the sun. Toward the end of summer when the heat becomes unbearable, we’ll wish for cooler days. I suppose if I had a choice, I’d spend most of my days in either spring or fall. Those are the seasons which are my favorites. I like the mild weather, the rebirth of spring and the nostalgia of fall. Of course, one of the great things about spring is that it seems it is a time for new beginnings. It is the time when the world seems to come alive once again. It reminds us that there is sunshine on the other side of the gray. But if we always lived in the spring, there would be no gray of winter to offer contrast, and no appreciation for the pleasant change.
Isn’t it amazing how the our lives seem to mimic the seasons? Just as the spring tease, sometimes life makes us think we are moving out of the gray only to have another setback. We toil along trying to find our way back into the sunshine. Then when the gray sky finally gives way to the blue, it makes us appreciate the sun all the more.
We still have the chance for the spring tease. Even though we’ve made it past that first day, it doesn’t always show up when it is scheduled and doesn’t always stay. Right now it is looking good. All I can say is at least opening day usually makes it on time.
While we wait to be sure that spring has made it to the meeting, let’s think about green blades of grass beneath our feet, laughter and giggles echoing around the neighborhood, the fragrance of flowers blooming, and the popping sound of the ball meeting the pocket of a leather glove. When those days fool us into believing the winter is over, and we have reason to ask, “Oh, Spring – Are you really here?” Keep looking for the blues skies, imagine the sun warm against your skin and remember, it’s here or at least it’s near.
