Spring is a season of miracles. I choose to believe we are entering temperate times because the calendar says we have crossed the threshold. I am also choosing to ignore the weatherman's soggy prediction of a "wintry mix" for tomorrow.
After all, we have been extremely dry on the surface and all living things need water to grow. It is a time for rebirth and after the gloom, mud and guck of winter we are ready for something new.
I had a pleasant surprise the other day when I moved some dead leaves and found actual flower sprouts. There are a few lonely crocus in bloom by my front door. The trees are budded and the pussy willows are nearly gone to seed.
We have a rabbit trying to build a home by the backyard deck. It either remembers being fed there during previous winter freezes or hasn't noticed the fierce 7-pound poodle that owns the yard. Rabbit can't know that the poodle is extremely nearsighted but it tends to freeze when he saunters by. I believe that if the rabbit ran right in front of him the dog would give chase simply because something was moving. Either way, it doesn't say much about bunny brains or doggy daring.
The grounds are littered with fat-belly robins and neon red cardinals. I presume all are in search of mates since I don't think songbirds are territorial enough to fight. The bully grackles are checking the birdhouses and working their way up the bathroom vent once again.
Today is Easter which brings Holy Week to a close. Different religions have different dates and events to mark their history. I am a mainline Protestant so I was always aware of Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, lent in general and of course, Easter. As a Congregationalist nothing much was expected of me beyond participating in pageants as a kid and helping my Sunday School class as an adult. I finally understood how magnificent the gift of God is and the sacrifices made on my behalf.
There is no substitute for grace and hope. We had another small miracle last week. April 1st (I know, I know) my husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. In general we ignore the date but this year the kids decided to have a few people over for BBQ. I think, considering our recent medical history, they presumed we'd never see 50 years of wedded bliss.
A couple dozen family and friends came to chuckle at our wedding photo. My husband's ears stuck out from the sides of his head like radar dishes. His expression was sour at best. I was a natural blonde who kept big prickly rollers in my head for untold hours just to get a bump or two that might pass for style. We were mere babes — 19 and 20 — absolutely clueless as to our future.
I can't speak for him but I am sure I never anticipated being married for most of my life. Sadly, I don't think we have improved with age but we have learned to take the long view. The four decades of togetherness have been interesting. We established a family by having two sons. Our homestead is becoming old and decrepit just as we are. Since my husband traveled with his work I got to be Queen of all I survey. Or is that the village idiot?
He has been more than happy to let me make decisions as long as they won't change the Earth's rotation. He is passive to my aggressive. It's probably no mere coincidence that the day after our anniversary has become Reconciliation Day.
Times have changed since 1967 and so have we. Our boys, ever on a quest to confuse us with new technology, bought us a new, huge, powerful microwave. Our machine was making strange noises and probably was sick but it certainly wasn't dead. We have had at least four machines dating back to when we had to register the microwave with the government.
The new machine does everything but walk the dog and wash dirty underwear. It takes up so much space that my under-counter radio had to be moved, causing a domino effect. This new machine has all the bells and whistles, and ticker tape messages tell me to enjoy my meal. I am beginning to believe machines will take over the world. I know I already feel inferior to them.
Others brought us tokens of affection and silly cards. The real gifts were the people who came to share the day with us. Family and friends that bless our lives are true miracles. Have a lovely and peaceful spring.
This is cache, read story here
