Spring

Spring hovers in the air, inching it's way forward each day. Step by step. Every morning a touch warmer, every day the snow retreating backwards, exposing the muddy earth beneath. There is optimism in Spring, hints at new life. As the ground awakens from it's 6 months of snowy cover, there are new smells in the air. Fresh sounds on the streets. The snowmobiles go into storage, and the motorcycles come out to play. Evenings stretch out longer, mornings begin earlier. The sun rise moves from it's mid-December 9:30 am to a much more pleasant 6:30 arrival.

Spring brings mud. In the van, in the front door, on the boots. The low spot in the yard is right under the swing set, where small children like to jump, splash and sit. Boots fill up with water and sand, splash pants become necessary, snow suits go into hiding for another year. There is optimism in the air as heavy winter gear moves to the basement. As the birds make their return Northward. As we ponder the wondrous idea that we may be seeing the last of Winter, finally.

Hallelujah!