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Spring is in the air. Crocuses are poking their little heads up out of the ground. Birds are singing. The sun is shining. It makes me think about what the beginning of spring means to our family.
Spring means a chance to get outside and get some fresh air. It’s an opportunity to breathe deeply and realize that we are connected to the earth and God’s creation. Spring is a time of reawakening. Our family tends to stay indoors during the cold weather, so spring is a new beginning for us.
Spring means cleaning. Like my mother and grandmother and great-grandmother, I long to give the house a good scrubbing in the spring. Longer days and warm weather have an energizing effect that makes me want to spruce up and organize and remove all signs of winter wear and tear on our house.
Spring means planning. Everything seems possible at the beginning of spring. We can plan changes to our gardens. We can think about where we might want to go on our summer weekends and vacation. Projects that seemed daunting during the dark, cold winter now appear more manageable.
Spring means spending time together. As the daylight hours grow longer and longer, we find ourselves seeking out family activities. Dinner, dishes and homework are done and there is still plenty of daylight left. Warm temperatures beckon us to leave the house and go for walks or pile in the car to go to a local park or just sit on the porch and watch the world go by. Conversations seem more relaxed when they take place outdoors.
Spring is a time of hope. Just as the flowers spring to life and our house becomes sparkling clean, our relationships look more beautiful with the addition of a little sunshine and warmth. We are a little more kind, a little more patient, a little more loving as we embrace the spring.
