The Longer The Winter, The More Glorious The Spring
After 7 months of snow, the first blade of grass pokes through the white in a protected corner. Almost overnight, the warm winds, a slipstream across the mountains, brushes the dullness from the trees, dusts the ground, sends rain to wash the streets. A new crocus is the first shy display of splendid color, but within days, the tulips and daffodils bloom in wondrous profusion; the fresh vines spill over the fences. The apple trees hasten to life, unfolding pink blossoms that float to the ground gently as the fruit swells on its stems.
Off go the winter coats, the boots, the mittens, and out come the shorts and sunglasses. The warmth of the sun feels so sublime, infusing the blood, blushing the skin, sending a rush of sheer pleasure through every pore. This is a most primal gratefulness; a most pure joy, and it can be felt no matter what other storms gather in your life.
If you have been living in winter, this is both a promise and an invitation. Invite simplicity over for tea. Find something that makes you laugh. Listen to a song you love. Go for a walk and take pictures. Sit quietly with a friend. Whatever it is, it will wait. And when you come back, you will be renewed.
