Under ominous skies, the first of our April showers
approaches. But we don't have to wait until May for our flowers. Truth be told, the daffodils and tulips are already beginning to
bloom, and some have shared their sweet palate of color with us for many days
already.
Springtime beat the robins to my backyard this year.
Usually, through the cold and blustery month of March, these harbingers of
spring with their russet breasts and bright yellow beaks hop around last year’s
lawn looking for bits of something to eat.
This year, we experienced an unusual warm spell in
mid-March. Record-setting temperatures caused my white magnolia to bloom over a
month early. Sadly its normally long-lasting tepals turned brown and blew off within days due
to the extreme heat. It usually is not eighty degrees when my magnolia tree
blooms!
Winter hats, coats, gloves and scarves were discarded as we
dug out our shorts and tank tops. I found the heat exhausting, too much too
soon, but still didn’t want to complain. After months of cold, even a mild winter
like last season’s can wear on you after awhile.
The gift of all of this warm weather has been the early
flowers, and new leaves on the trees and shrubs. Green looks great on the
natural world, especially after months of seeing only brown or white in the landscape. Several neighbors have already
cut their grass. They seem to be enjoying getting their mowers out and thankfully storing the snow blowers for the warm seasons.
The bulbs we planted at our church with the Sunday school
classes last fall are up and blooming earlier than planned, but since the
return to cooler temperatures, the flowers are lasting longer and the blooms
should last through Easter day.
Everyone at church is noticing the flowers and commenting on
their beauty. We planted about 250 bulbs, about 75 of which were little
crocuses. This year the crocuses came and went in a matter of days with the
heat.
The tulips and daffodils are in their glory, and I’m amazed
how many people have commented to me how beautiful the church grounds appear.
While I am thrilled that people would notice our efforts (and thankful that everything actually
came up!) my real joy will be to see the children’s faces as they realize how
they contributed to adding beauty to their church property. And not just for
this season, but for many spring seasons to come.
Our heritage is in our
children. Teach them to sow, and to reap. Teach them to sing, and to pray. Show
them a merciful God who loves them unconditionally. And love them without reservation. Let them know forgiveness, and teach them to practice it.
Demonstrate compassion, and acceptance. The future of humanity depends on it.
