Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Spring

Something is awakening deep in the earth, or perhaps it would be more precise to say that the earth itself is awakening from its winter slumber. There are flowers blooming on every corner and new growth on every tree. Playgrounds are filling up again with families enjoying the late afternoon sun, outdoor cafes are beginning to fill. Jackets are being left behind, with long sleeves soon to be banished for another seven months. The city is rediscovering itself as the temperatures rise. The seaside promenade is a hub of happy activity. Energy levels are rising, and with them spirits. I too feel optimism rising within me like the sap rises in the trees. The dark days are ending, the light is shining again.

I am affected so strongly by the waxing and waning of the light, even here in this land where winter is but a shadow of what it could be and beautiful sunny days appear as if by magic even in January. I can't bare to imagine what devastation living through a true northern winter again would wreak on my soul. It could only have been the carelessness of youth that saw me through twenty of them. My older, more fragile self shudders at the thought, and whispers words of gratefulness that I don't have to.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spring is such an awakening. It's one we wait for anxiously then can't believe when it is finally here.

Anonymous said...

I am solar powered. I need the sun to function at peak performance. Living in Colorado has helped so much, since we get 300+ days of sunshine a year; in contrast, living in Iowa nearly killed me. I figure we're about 3 weeks from thaw and warm and soft breezes. I can't wait; that is when I come alive.

Anonymous said...

We too are enjoying the onset of Spring. Once again my pub garden is filling with al fresco diners! I however, relish the extremes of our British seasons!

Anonymous said...

Your post resonated with me. I grew up in the UK but now live in Australia where the seasons are only slightly delineated. To go through a British winter might in fact, be too much for me now. Yet strangely, I long for snow!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

I'm one of those people that doesn't seek out sunlight in order to feel balanced and normal. In fact, I'm just as happy heading into a dark movie theatre on a beautiful summer day. Don't know why that is. I love sunny days. I love cloudy days. I think it might be that I love night time and moonlight SO much more.

Phyllis Sommer said...

i can't wait for the spring to spring up here....it sure doesn't feel springy yet. i wonder how many times i can use the word spring in this comment? oh bother:-)

Anonymous said...

I am very ready for spring. Unfortunately, we are supposed to have more snow this week. :-(

Jeques said...

Robin,

I've been searching lately for signs of spring, but it's still not too evident here in Chicago - still cold but not that much as the previous months.

I've been hearing chirping of birds lately outside my apartment's window lately so I think it's sign of the onset - birds watch from above, so they should know better.

I wish you well.

~ Jeques

UL said...

i love the light too, winter depresses me, i grew up where light was guaranteed year round, but now i am settled where i have to bear the winter days...i still havent adjusted.

I just caught up on all the posts on Maya, your holiday etc..glad to see she is doing better ( touch wood) and I am glad you enjoyed the break.

Lea said...

It is true... the older I get the more I seek warmth... but then, my tolerance for low has never been very high (hehehehe) I am a true California girl, not too high, and not to low, is just right for me... I love the comment from the person who said they are solar powered...

Tumblewords: said...

Nice post! I'm trying to make it through winter...Today, the first day of spring brought another two inches of snow. Holding on, holding on. I love the way you wrote spring's awakening.

Anonymous said...

Today I noticed that the recreation field at our park's center is awash with California poppies.

So wonderful. :)