When I think of spring, the first thing that comes to mind is BULBS. While in actuality you must think of bulbs in fall, planting them without instant gratification, the arrival of spring brings the reminder that what you planned has actually happened.

Small green leaves peek up from the dull brown ground. Traces of snow surround the bright green of daffodils and crocus. As spring approaches and the warm sun teases your emotions, the shoots of green continue to sprout and fill out with the flower heads. Spring is like a promise, a promise of new beginnings. It is a fresh start, a time to make new plans. The world seems new again.

Spring is a reminder of my mother’s love of gardening. Discussing new plants in the garden catalogs. Planning new flower bed and redoing ones that have become overgrown dominate our thoughts.

What shall we plant in the garden this year? In the spring, everything is a possibility. We have no control over what the weather may do, so everything that is planned may or may not become a reality. Not everyone understands the excitement of seeing the first breaking of the ground of newly planted seeds sprouting.  The knuckle up of bean plants.

It’s fun to watch the daily changes that occur with small seedlings, getting their secondary leaves, stretching toward the sun.  The spring sunlight seems warmer than the harsh winter light. Soon the bees will start buzzing around and the weeds will also wake up and take charge.  But for a short time, the first of spring reminds us all of the promise of something new and wonderful.

Then there is the pollen… Ha ha ha!

By Barbara Short