This is my first spring in two years and while it feels as through I have been away for such a long time, I remember and fall easily in step with the season as if I have not been living in a tropical place where season changes are much more subtle. I remember the land of my birth and the land remembers me.
I was greeted home by a beautiful snowfall with it's puffy, magical flakes giving the land a Nutcracker feel. I settled in by the crackling fire and took in the majestic wonder of God's creation, storing it in my memory for future days when thoughts of snow will all but be a faint familiar memory of a place and time I love.
Soon after the over 6 inches of fluffy snowfall the sun in all its beauty shone through the gray sky, which everyone who has spent the winter here commented, "what is that strange thing?", to begin the process of spring. Spring, a time of enchanted wonder, where no matter how many times you have experienced it leaves you saying in surprise, "Oh look, the robin is back! You know what I saw today? A little crocus poking its pretty head through a small bare patch of earth!" The frozen desolate land is coming back to life. Full of surprises that leave young and old filled with wonder and joy as nature bursts forth into marvelous life.
Like bears coming out from their caves, people emerge from their homes in mass, with a sort of dazed, pale look and a new shine in their eyes. There is much to be done! One of my favorite parts of early spring is the tapping of sugar maples, gathering the clear lightly sweetened white gold that runs from them and boiling it into a nice golden sweet syrup. Maple syrup is one of natures tastiest treats!
As the sun further melts the snow the tasks of yard work begin. There are leaves to be raked, sticks to be gathered, flower beds to be cleared, gardens to be worked and seeds to begin. Along with these tasks are discoveries to make as we watch for daily signs of new life. Birds coming back, flowers coming up, pussy willows and trees budding. Each day we eagerly await for new signs of summers arrival while we look for the sound of spring peepers, morel mushrooms to pick and new life to be born.
My family home is one of the last places for the snow to melt and this morning as I look out the window at the dirty snow, the large puddle, chickadees fluttering about, squirrels playing tag in the trees I find myself wanting spring to hurry up so I can make all these discoveries quickly, like a child on a treasure hunt. But I am reminded that God uses nature to speak to us and as spring gently comes at its own slow pace maybe I too need to spend my days here at home at that slow gentle pace, basking in the wonder of His love and goodness as I spend time with my family and friends.
"Once you have lived on the land, been a partner with its moods, secrets, and seasons, you cannot leave. The living land remembers, touching you in unguarded moments, saying, "I am here. You are part of me."
~Ben Logan "The Land Remembers"
I was greeted home by a beautiful snowfall with it's puffy, magical flakes giving the land a Nutcracker feel. I settled in by the crackling fire and took in the majestic wonder of God's creation, storing it in my memory for future days when thoughts of snow will all but be a faint familiar memory of a place and time I love.
Soon after the over 6 inches of fluffy snowfall the sun in all its beauty shone through the gray sky, which everyone who has spent the winter here commented, "what is that strange thing?", to begin the process of spring. Spring, a time of enchanted wonder, where no matter how many times you have experienced it leaves you saying in surprise, "Oh look, the robin is back! You know what I saw today? A little crocus poking its pretty head through a small bare patch of earth!" The frozen desolate land is coming back to life. Full of surprises that leave young and old filled with wonder and joy as nature bursts forth into marvelous life.
Like bears coming out from their caves, people emerge from their homes in mass, with a sort of dazed, pale look and a new shine in their eyes. There is much to be done! One of my favorite parts of early spring is the tapping of sugar maples, gathering the clear lightly sweetened white gold that runs from them and boiling it into a nice golden sweet syrup. Maple syrup is one of natures tastiest treats!
As the sun further melts the snow the tasks of yard work begin. There are leaves to be raked, sticks to be gathered, flower beds to be cleared, gardens to be worked and seeds to begin. Along with these tasks are discoveries to make as we watch for daily signs of new life. Birds coming back, flowers coming up, pussy willows and trees budding. Each day we eagerly await for new signs of summers arrival while we look for the sound of spring peepers, morel mushrooms to pick and new life to be born.
My family home is one of the last places for the snow to melt and this morning as I look out the window at the dirty snow, the large puddle, chickadees fluttering about, squirrels playing tag in the trees I find myself wanting spring to hurry up so I can make all these discoveries quickly, like a child on a treasure hunt. But I am reminded that God uses nature to speak to us and as spring gently comes at its own slow pace maybe I too need to spend my days here at home at that slow gentle pace, basking in the wonder of His love and goodness as I spend time with my family and friends.
"Once you have lived on the land, been a partner with its moods, secrets, and seasons, you cannot leave. The living land remembers, touching you in unguarded moments, saying, "I am here. You are part of me."
~Ben Logan "The Land Remembers"
I love the seasons, for all these reasons :)
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