I am sitting at my desk in the sun room, eating strawberries for dessert after a nutritious lunch. The windows are open. I went around a couple hours ago, opening windows to let Spring inside. The air outside is soft, gentle and cool, and the breeze is light. A cloud or two play tag with the sunshine, and the birds are singing for all their worth.
Everywhere I look, there is color. The urgent green of brand new leaves on every tree and on the new shoots that will soon dangle the potently fragrant bells of Lily of the Valley. Shocking purple flowers I don't even recognize growing in clumps all over our lawn, along with purple and white violets that grow wild from foliage that's been around since we've lived here but never flowered before. The staggering yellow of dandelions that will turn to that whispery white seed any second, scattered across the landscape to make more dandelions. Breathtaking red and yellow and pink tulips growing in their familiar homes as well as migrating to places in our yard I've never seen them bloom before.
And the flowering trees! Oh, the pink delights, pale and deep, some just a faint blush, all profuse and envy-inspiring.
Yesterday, I mowed our front lawn for the first time this season. The back lawn still struggles to grow grass, and I am giving Nature time and space to remedy that before I start traipsing over the delicate ground with that heavy machine, spewing exhaust and dust behind it. After my chore, after the mower was sleeping in the garage, I sat outside, talking to Daniel on the phone. Admiring the natural beauty all around me, soaking it up.
I love Winter. In fact, though I have my favorites, I find something to love in all of Michigan's delectable seasons. Spring is glorious, full of promise, full of inspiration. Simply full.
And I am devouring every delicious bit of it.
Copyright 2009 Melissa LaFavers