It’s hard to deny that spring has sprung now that I’ve got two colors of crocus creating a riot of color in my front garden. I can’t say I’m unhappy about the premature arrival of what is typically the most fickle of seasons, but I can admit that I am more than a little uncomfortable with how quickly windows have been thrown open and bare legs have been exposed. I’m still waiting for winter.
For the first time in my 20 years of teaching, I didn’t have a single delayed start or cancelation to school this winter. Yes, I said 20 years. That is remarkable. Also absent from this year’s “winter” was any opportunity to cross-country ski locally, sleigh ride or build a snowman. I can count on one ungloved hand the number of days which were bitter cold and I’m glad that I didn’t invest in new winter gear for any of my children.
I miss the sound of cottony silence that comes from a good snowstorm and the camaraderie of neighbors coming together to dig cars out of mounds of snow and shovel sidewalks. There’s something magical about waking up in the morning to find one’s front steps buried in white, fluffy powder. It adds a sense of adventure to an otherwise typical day.
All that being said, I didn’t miss white knuckled driving or needing to repeatedly fill my wiper fluid reservoir. My skis may not have come out of their off season home in the basement, but I was able to explore areas of the golf course on foot that I’d only ever experienced before on skis. Running the golf course for 4 or 5 months has been both a real treat and a workout and Jeter and I are both going to miss it.
This premature El Niño spring feels a bit like a reward not earned, but let’s enjoy it, along with e.e. cummings’ words, anyway.
“sweet spring is your
time is my time is our
time for springtime is lovetime
and viva sweet love”
DelSo 