Does it ever grow old or get taken for granted that first scent of fresh earth and that first warm breeze, after winter’s hold on things? I must go out every morning to check how much further the daffodils are pushing themselves out of the ground! I perform my morning duty of throwing grain out to the birds, but I linger now to breathe in the noticeable change on the wind. Now, here in New England, we know for certain those first warmer breezes might not last, and an unexpected snow squall can cover the crocus and daffodil shoots. But snow melts, and lo and behold, those shoots are still there, and they’ve even grown taller!

Spring renews us because it is living proof that when we are resilient and patient, the change we’ve been praying for happens. Spring renews us because it assures us of the eternal return of hope and joy to a weary world. This Spring of 2023 includes the Christian honoring of Eastertide, and with it comes a renewal of urgent and powerful truths: goodness is eventually the champion! A breathtaking sunrise follows a long, anguished sleepless night! Our spiritual selves continue even after we die…our words, deeds, legacy live on through all we have touched…death is not the end! Even betrayal and abandonment can be forgiven and hope once again survives in the human heart.

I dedicate an entire chapter to this season in my book, “A Seasoned Life.” What’s possible about Spring, sadly, is that like the other 3 seasons, it CAN be missed! Only when we go “out there,” and invite our senses to pay attention to all that is changing, growing, nesting, germinating can we honor that season and learn from it, grow wiser as human beings, and enjoy with tremendous gratitude the gifts of that season that come around all by themselves every year in their own time, and never miss! Those of us who believe know the secret of this recurring, faithful turning of the seasons: a divine plan on the part of a benevolent Creator/Parent/Spirit who can’t help the love affair entered into with humankind!

The colors, scents, and sounds of Spring renewing the earth are simply the song of a good God who desires us to be happy! But there is no requirement to show up! Let’s not let April and Spring’s renewal pass us by unnoticed this year!! As Annie Dillard proclaims,” “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.” I’ll be there this month………will you join me?