The other day I found myself “tired of winter!” After several dreary days, I made a decision to turn to Nature as a way of elevating my mood. With my jacket in hand, I headed for a walk focusing my full attention on finding and celebrating Nature’s Signs of Spring. We have a mini forest in our neighborhood and that was my destination. Being fully focused, it didn’t take long for me to spot my first symbol of Hope. There, just a short distance in front of me, were 2 robins waiting for my acknowledgement. YES, my mind shouted, as I stopped in silence to enjoy the magic of their conversation.
Walking a bit further my adventure continued. This time I came upon a low hanging branch. It was literally right in front of my face and if it could speak, it was certainly trying to command my attention. “Look, look at me!” I imagined it saying. “Look at all of my leaf buds bursting with New Life!” Then, after a few moments of an intense gaze, I spun about and my eyes caught a glimmer of white. There, just a few steps away, were some of my most beloved early white blooms, i.e., Snowdrops!
Snowdrops, or milk flowers, have long been one of my favorite heralds of Spring. As symbols of new beginnings, they represent hope, rebirth and the capacity to triumph over adversity. Appearing in late winter and early spring, they often have to endure the harsh conditions of icy and heavy snow. Nonetheless, they still manage to stand tall and herald their message of the upcoming Spring.
Now, several days later, my perspective on Nature’s Signs of Spring has changed. What I hoped to be an experience that would change my sinking mood, became a lesson that had many more far-reaching effects. Like many people in their 70’s, I am surrounded by friends and acquaintances who are daily dealing with declining health, resources and death. For many in this age group, the Golden Years can bring about Emotional and Spiritual Winters. Thus it was not that unusual that my past several days were filled with numerous encounters that centered around grief, loss, sickness and death.
My mind kept taking me back to my afternoon walk. It would replay my encounters with the Robins, Leaf Buds, and Snowdrops, until I came to understand that these lessons about Springtime did not happen just to make me feel better. Rather, they were reminders that we are all journeying through the Seasons of Life together. Be it humans, plants, or animals, there are times when we are all called upon to offer each other “Signs of Spring.” Together we all share the task of reminding each other that Life is designed to renew itself. And if those tiny little Snowdrops could talk, I imagine that they would share the following: “Remember, your strength is inherent. Ignore the harshness of your ever changing world. Rest assured that you are designed to Bloom regardless of the outward conditions. This resilience and this alone, is why Nature has entrusted us to announce the
Magic of Spring!”
