I was doing the Spring trim on the front hedges. A snip here and a whack there. It's fun. Appearing to be improving the property, I trim the bushes the way I want. And, on occasion, I error.....and live with it! And then, to my surprise, up the driveway sauntered The Ol' Sage. He had that usual smile and squinting eyes as if to say he knew I was enjoying this traditional Spring activity. I smiled back asking if he had done his Spring trimming yet. He had, ofcourse....several days earlier. He always seemed to be ahead of me and always seems to enjoy sharing the fact. He offered to help. I declined...figuring I wanted all the fun for myself. But I did offer him a coke and we sat on the front porch steps and talked.
We talked about the excitement of Spring. A new growing season. A time to take-out the old and plant the new. An ever changing, evolving spectacle that we share with nature. "Spring is not just for plants...people know Spring in their lives too.", the Sage commented. Needless to say, he had seen lots more Springs than I, so I was ready to listen. He pointed-out that the Spring for the Heartland folks didn't always follow changing temperatures or natures temperature cycles. But, as surely as Spring comes for the flowers, trees and the gardens, it also comes in each of our lives. It follows the Winter. It follows losses....the losses of those we love, of familiar surroundings and the various roles we must give-up (child, teenager, adult, employee, parent, and others) as we move on in life. Oh yes, there are those who, after a difficult Winter, choose to never see a Spring again. But, most folks muster the will to start again....and we have another Spring! And with each new Spring, new and different growth occurs....often better than ever before.
The Ol' Sage lifted his eyes from the
road and looked my way. "It's Spring again...it's our promise of new beginnings",
he began. "It's a reminder of the natural process of life. The worst life
offers can always be followed by a Spring. Truly, there is no death for those
who want to live. And, the excitement that comes with personal growth and
caring for others goes on. Spring is an exciting time of year....for the yard
and for ourselves. May you and your hedge always find another Spring!"
And, with those closing thoughts, the
Heartland Sage rose, thanked me for the coke and asked me to be gentle on
the hedge this year. He implied I had "expressed" myself a little too much
last year. He asked me to remind you, as you see Spring at work this year,
be grateful for this precious gift that is ours too.
Spring into action...
Send a letter!
Lets go home!