It is not news that this winter has been horrendous—and is going on way too long. I live in California so only experience the polar vortex through the news, but I am overwhelmed with the duration of these storms and the volume of snow and resulting turmoil they are producing. Enough already! I am so ready for spring to be here.
Today being Groundhog’s Day means that the country traditionally makes its annual scientific assessment about when we can expect spring to arrive. Well, okay, maybe not scientific. We do traditionally wait for the press conference that will announce whether Punxsutawney Phil (the Official Pennsylvania Groundhog) has been a scaredy cat or not. If he sees his shadow and runs back inside, we are doomed to six more weeks of winter. This year, the little wimp ran back inside, thus predicting that this dreadful winter will continue on and on.
I object!
For one thing, it is silly to trust this rodent. Statistically, he is only right 39% of the time. So that means, this year, there is a 6 in 10 chance that spring will be here soon. I choose to believe that projection.
Besides, there are other signs of spring in the air:
Dad—who is always cold—still looks good in the jaunty cap his sister gave him for Christmas! It is pale blue and white and perfect for a spring outing.
There are camellias in bloom outside his facility!
On my drive to see him yesterday, I was impressed with the blue sky and the pink blossoms springing forth on many, many trees.
And there were several hawks circling the canyons.
My sister Barbara lives in Nevada now and—although it was cloudy and threatening rain—the sun burst through the clouds.
And from her balcony she can watch the attentive little hummingbird mother who is already sitting on her nest.
See? Regardless of the weather and Punxsutawney Phil’s timidity, it makes sense to be expecting spring in all its glory. I am hopeful. Optimistic. Ready for a change. I will keep a look out for all the signs of spring, even if I have to go to old photos to do it!
Please, join me in my quest: THINK SPRING!
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“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” Sarah Ban Breathnatch
“Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” Robert Schuller
“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zen Proverb
“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Percy Bysshe Shelley
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” Bern Williams
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” Pablo Neruda
“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” Virgil Kraft
“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” Marty Rubin
“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” John Muir
“I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright.” Millard Kaufman
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