April Showers

Today is a typical early April day in New England; gray, rainy and cool. It's the kind of day that would make it easy to stay in bed covered by not only warm blankets, but also gloomy thoughts. There are those who may look forward to giving in to the rainy, dreary day as if it's a chance to escape from the world for a while.

Many of us, however, prefer to look at these April showers in a more positive light. Instead of letting them surround us with a melancholy mood we choose to see what they will soon bring.

The trees that have been barren all winter are sprouting buds that will suddenly burst into green leaves. The transformation always seems to happen overnight as we sleep, and the sight is as refreshing as a breeze gently blowing across our face.

Birds that have returned to nest for the season reap the benefits of April showers. They provide puddles for drinking and a quick bath and will bring worms and bugs closer to the ground's surface for the birds to feast upon. Watching them as they fly from tree to tree, and then landing gently on the ground can make one's spirit feel free.

One of the greatest gifts from April showers is the awakening of our flower beds and herb gardens. Tiger Lilies are poking up through the ground giving a glimpse of what will come. Chives and garlic are sprouting, and the oregano and sage are slowly coming back to life.

All of this provides visions of what will be arriving in a few short weeks. Before long we will enjoy the beauty of flowers and the aroma of fresh herbs. We will once again savor the days of sitting quietly watching the bees as they collect pollen, and the hummingbirds dancing through the air.

We can choose to see April showers as something that delivers gray gloomy days, or we can embrace them as the bearer of beautiful things to come.

For me the choice is easy.


"Is the spring coming?" he said "What is it like?..."It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine, and things pushing up and working under the earth."
~ Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden ~

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