Spring has sprung, and I couldn't be happier. While we didn't have a bad winter by any means, the fact remains that most of the earth's colors retreat in the winter, and burst forth again under the coaxing of the warm sunshine and soaking showers. It makes me smile.
Writers and poets through the ages have paid homage to the wonders of spring. Martin Luther, the German church reformer, said: "Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime." The seasonal timing of our celebration of Easter is no coincidence.
The earth's rebirth reminds us of all that we have to be thankful for. We can't help but feel happy when we see the bright yellow forsythia and daffodils, the fragrant hyacinths and perfectly formed tulips in rainbow colors. American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson quipped: "The Earth laughs in flowers." Comedian Robin Williams put it this way: "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'"
Article Photos
My mom
It's a time of new beginnings, and that couldn't be truer for my family this spring. My mother, Janet Garrett Kowalski, is moving back to the Ohio Valley after an absence of 28 years. She and my stepdad, James Kowalski, moved to Florida in 1984 and then 11 or so years ago became "half-backs," coming halfway back to Ohio and living in northern Georgia at the foot of the Appalachian mountain range in Blairsville. The rest of the family - including their sisters and brothers, children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews - still call Ohio home and are thrilled to be welcoming Janet and Jim home to the Buckeye State.
Mom is moving first and will stay with my family until she finds a more permanent place to settle. It will be the first time we've lived in the same house - let alone city or state - since the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college (which, for those of you keeping count, is 20 years). I am looking forward to sharing meals, movies, shopping trips, special occasions and more with her - without having to say goodbye after a few days or trying to capture my experiences for her over the phone or in an email. I have written in this space about my bond with my daughter; the bond with my mother is equally as strong.
My daughter is over the moon about her Granny Jan coming to stay. Every day she asks, "Is this the day?" Mom is looking forward to Saturday morning snuggles with Emma, guest reading at her school and even running her to this or that event. She texted me the other day: "The first thing I'm going to buy when I get there is a booster seat for my car."
I cried.
Here's to new beginnings!
Betsy
