Oh, spring.
I love you so.
This is a fairly new phenomenon. I used to be a "fall" girl... cooler weather, jeans, changing leaves, pumpkin flavored crap... all of it. Then, something changed. I think it was around the time my beloved gramma passed away (in October) and fall wasn't so appealing anymore. The crunchy leaves, wilting flowers and shorter days were all a little depressing.
Then, I started having babies. Spring babies to be exact. One in March (ok- still technically a "winter baby, but bear with me) One in April. One in May. One in June. Whew. Spring became a time of anticipation, excitement, and new life. I started truly appreciating the green buds on the lilac bushes and the sounds of the birds chirping outside my bedroom window in the morning. There is still sunlight when Dan gets home from work. Sheets can be hung out to dry on the clothesline. And... Easter.
I think growing up, Easter just kinds of falls in the shadow of Christmas. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE Christmas... but I think I love the hunkering-down-and-snuggling-in-coziness of it. Even the vision of the swaddled up newborn Jesus makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. Easter, however? Such a different emotion altogether. Maybe as I get older, I am finally realizing the true power and beauty of the Easter story. For the umpteenth year in a row, I cried through the choir singing "I Am the Bread of Life" during mass. Teaching my first grade faith formation classes about the events of Holy Week has become my favorite lessons of the entire year.
So... this blog post. What's the point? I'm not quite sure... other than to share my love of the spring. The newness and beauty and freshness of all the things around us. The joy of Easter Sunday. And the excitement and anticipation of celebrating FOUR birthdays!
