Glimmers of Hope After the Never Ending Winter

There is no doubt that this winter has been cold, snowy, windy and long. Most of us feel it is the winter that will never end, and our bodies are weary from the constant beating from this brutal season. It seems the mantra I hear every day is "will this ever end?" Mother Nature treats us to one, possibly two, days of sunshine and a bit of warmth only to turn around and give us cold, rain, sleet or snow once again. Each time this happens it is like an attack on our souls that are yearning for those long summer days.

Although it has been one of the longest and coldest in many years, I can finally say I see a light at the end of the tunnel. This past weekend I uncovered my flower bed and the once brown dead leaves are showing signs of fresh green growth. The herbs in the garden surprised me too. Just a few warmers days with some rain and the chives appeared. I even dare to dream of fresh chives in my salad within two weeks with the cooperation of the weather.

The lake that has been covered with ice and snow for many months has started to show more and more open water. I will wake one morning soon to see the ducks floating along and fishing for their breakfast. Of course we will have to wait a bit longer before we can venture out on the lake.

The birds have returned and it was a delight to hear the first one sing as the sun was rising a few days ago. Of course my ultimate joy will be when my Loons return to the lake. When I hear that hauntingly beautiful call once again I will know that spring is truly back and summer is not far behind. The call of the Loons will awaken my soul from this long hard winter, and I will settle into many months with that magnificent call starting and ending my days. It does not get better than that.

I hope you too are finding your glimmers of hope at the end of this long hard winter.







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