I came out this morning with the expectations of a grey winter day as a contrast to the beautiful sunny day the day before. Instead I was greeted with the telltale signs of winter’s demise; springs’ buds overwhelming a gray landscape.
I could smell the air and how the winter jasmine is giving up its final fragrant boast for attention. Soon the wild flowers will return along with the impatient bees. The birds have already started their chorus and the squirrels are out and about.
The cold steel breezes have given way to a gentle rush of mild spring air. It was a wonderful and welcome surprise, the only problem is that it makes the shadows of indoors that much more profound. I realize why we clean in the spring.
Just days ago I was photographing the winter and basking in the mortal feeling of winter and its white austere countenance. The cold frozen blanket and the dark, gnarled branches of the trees, its almost as if nature has put on its formal coat, dressed for a funeral.
Now we notice the seeds that will find excitement of light and color in the summer. The buds of the plum in the front yard foreshadow the inevitable flowers and fruit inevitable in the spring.
You don’t realize how much you’ve missed spring until you realize how long you’ve been in the greyness of winter. Life is all about contrast, all about change.
Being aware of the differences of the seasons is what makes us mark time and realize we are still breathing.