Now, I realize it’s only the middle of February and not even close to being Spring. But this past weekend’s warmer weather dove-tailed one of the coldest blizzardy Winters I’ve ever experienced… and it was enough to get me longing for balmy breezes and tulips and the wild bunnies that mysteriously appear in my backyard every March.
I’m reminded of my friend William Mwizerwa from Rwanda, who when asked how he and his family got through tough times in Africa, simply replied, “We keep our eyes on eternity. On the promised land where we will one day live. On the new life we will one day have”.
I’m in no way comparing a harsh Tennessee winter to the hardships of Rwandans. But I caught myself looking for hints of Spring this morning… in hopes it would carry me through the inevitable late-March winter-blast that’s sure to renegade through Nashville at least once more… and be reassured of the new land and the new life to come.
Here is how Spring dropped a few hints my way this morning:
- The sweet onion grass is popping up in random spots throughout my straw-like yard.
- The squirrels are hyper… very hyper.
- The birds were loud at 6am… very loud.
- I got to the office 15 minutes earlier because I didn’t have to scrape snow or ice off my car.
- There was an extra pep in my step this morning.
- My street was dotted with joggers, dog-walkers, stroller-pushers and cyclists.
- I did not wear a coat to work.
- My living room was flooded with light at 7am.
- Johnny was wearing shorts with his requisite hoodie.
- There is a large hoot-owl’s winter nest high up in my backyard tree – which two squirrels were dismantling. There may be war on N. 16th Street very soon.
- I saw at least six of my neighbors having coffee on their porch.
- It is SIXTY-THREE degrees!!!!!!!!!!!!
What hints of new life are you seeing?
