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April 2008
It’s Finally Here…
By: Laura Bradford
Creative Writer
According to the calendar hanging on my kitchen wall, spring has officially sprung. Which means bulbs should be bursting and trees will budding any day now. And I can hardly wait.
For whatever reason, this past winter was a looonnnggg one—void of many of the freakishly-warm breaks common to a St. Louis winter. So to say I’m ready for a little sunshine and warmer temps is an understatement of epic proportions.
The thing I’m most looking forward to this spring? Throwing open my windows and letting the fresh air roam through my house…
Yet, as quick as I write that, I know I’m just as anxious to get back in a routine of walking every evening. Without shivering.
And then there’s the occasional stop at Bonnidell’s for a vanilla milkshake. Okay, okay, so maybe it’s not as occasional as it should be—but who’s counting? Other than my daughter…and, er, the scale.
The funny thing is, though, that in looking over this list I see a common denominator that is—hands down—my most favorite aspect of spring.
The opportunity to slow down.
Sure, the notion of winter conjures up images of hunkering on a couch nestled under a blanket. But it also entails running to your car, running to get the mail, running to pick up a gallon of milk. Running…running…running.
Spring changes that. It makes us walk a little slower, communicate with one another, savor life a little more.
Peaceful thought, isn’t it?
I leave you today with words that always make me think of tranquility and peace the way spring does. Words from my favorite poem—a famous Irish Blessing that used to hang in my grandparents’ apartment in Manhattan.
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
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