The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.
Bern Williams

Spring, spring, spring......I love spring! I don't know about anyone else, but that first day when, after a long winter, I get to sit in the yard and feel the sun on my face and smell the newly blooming trees and flowers is a a beacon of hope. Hope that Old Man Winter has packed his bag for his annual trip to the southern hemisphere. Hope that icy days in front of the TV are done for my daughter. Hope that dog walking and trampolining (for the little one anyway) will become part of the daily routine again. Hope that all will be right with the world once more.

That first real spring day is, for me, the start of my new year. Sure, I celebrate with everyone else on December 31st, but all of the hopes for a better year seem so far off and don't become real to me until winter is over and spring finally graces us with her ever welcome presence. I think that seeing the tiny flowers emerge from what was frozen ground reassures us that with each new spring, we can do the same. We can poke our heads out and feel the hope of warm sun and clear blue skies. If the delicate tulips and hyacinth can do it, then so can I. I made it through another winter - I can do anything!