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Springing Into Love by Grace Burrowes

My parents have the great good sense to live in San Diego, and while it's not my kinda climate, they never lack for company in the winter months. When I make my visits, I prefer to drive cross-county, and so this week has found me behind the wheel of my truck, heading south and west from Maryland.

Last weekend, we had yet more, yes-I-do-believe-that's snow in Maryland. We've had more one-more winter weather event at least six times, and there's another one on the forecast as I type this. San Diego, here I come!

With the weather in mind, I dove south on I-81, which had the predictable effect of driving me into spring. Four hours south of home, the forsythia is in riot, the quince is peaking, the redbud trees are coming into their glory.

I was about in tears by the time I hit Richmond, I was so happy to see those old friends, and I was put in mind of the character arcs we see in a good romance novel. At the start of the book, our hero and/or heroine is trudging through some kind of personal winter. For reasons that seemed valid at the time, they've learned to keep the warmth of love, trust, self-confidence--all the good things--far to their south.

The author's job is to bring that character kicking, cursing, and falling onto his or her backside into spring.
In spring, the characters' faint, stubborn hope for a life based on love and courage is vindicated--after it's nearly snuffed out entirely, of course. They can love and be loved, they can hear the birds, smell the flowers, and appreciate all of their own fine qualities. They rediscover the courage it takes to love, both others and themselves.

And here's another aspect of spring I'd forgotten about: In spring, the bugs come out, and driving 700 miles a day, the windshield takes a horrendous beating of bug-splat. In spring, there are ferocious hail storms outside Oklahoma City (waves to Carolyn Brown). In spring, there are dust storms.
But none of that matters, because not far away, the forsythia has emerged from winter and the peepers are back in the trees, singing their love songs to their lady-peeper-loves.

We have come cursing and stumbling to another spring, all things are new, and love is in our hearts and all around us.
Is it spring where you are? What's the worst aspect of winter, and how will you celebrate its passing for another year?
To one commenter, I'll send the Wine Country Gift Basket, The Connoisseur.  

Comments

  1. Carolyn Brown is waving back at you..when you return from the sunny west coast, let me know when you are passing through OKC and we'll meet you there for a cup of coffee or lunch or dinner.

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    1. That would be fun, provided we can dodge the hail and dust storms--exciting place, OK!

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  2. We have had spring weather this week. I love it. I think the worst aspect of winter is the bone chilling cold. I am going to plant flowers to celebrate winter passing.

    crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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    1. Pansies are some of my favorite flowers because they can go in right now, whether spring has committed to stay or not. And then there's the color... though I hate to see them wilted a cinders in summer.

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  3. I think it's finally coming for us in Western PA. The flowers haven't shown their pretty little heads as yet but we have the spring rain so it can't be far behind. I've always loved Spring the most. Just this week I heard the birds singing and didn't realize how much I missed the sound. I also saw my first green sprouting on my hillside - probably weeds but who cares, it's green lol. I enjoyed your comparisons. I think one can appreciate life more when you have those unfortunate "winters" so you can appreciate the coming spring. Hope you have a wonderful trip and visit!

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    1. My brother in San Fransisco says they have two seasons--green and brown. After the summer, when the first heavy downpour hits, green can come over the landscape in a less than day. It's different from back East, that's for sure, but you can almost SEE the hills changing color.

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  4. Maryland weather is a little warmer than western Pennsylvania. We FINALLY have 70 degree weather for the past two days and rain. But... I will take rain over snow any day!

    Be safe on your travels, Lady Grace.

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    1. Maryland is warmer than PA. I grew up on State College, and managed without AC. Not such a good idea here in Maryland, but then, the growing season is about a month longer here too.

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  5. Daffodils are starting to pop out of the ground here and the trees are budding. But I don't think of it as Spring so much as the start of Allergy Season. Achoo. :)

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    1. Sorry about the allergies, Terri--I know they can be horrib-bibble. Ragweed brings me low, but other than that I seem to manage OK. May the allergy season be mild and short for you this year.

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  6. not yet Spring; still cold

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  7. We get spring weather for a few days and then we drop to the 40s for a day or two. It seems to be the pattern for the last couple of weeks. We had a crazy winter. The worst is waiting in the cold for the bus, but many drivers will say that the worst thing are the thousand of potholes.

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    1. And then there's when the bus hits a pothole, and you're the one who gets splashed. Bad words!

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  8. It is not quite Spring here. We are still having chilly temps and usually by now we are hovering around 80-85. We are doing good to hit 75 right now. We actually have a small cold front coming in this weekend, but nothing too bad. I have been wishing for Spring to get here, but not sure I am ready for all the pollen.

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  9. I'm in Houston, and it's glorious spring here. The azaleas are in full bloom. Yesterday, I was working in the garden, weeding and planting impatiens and vincas. The temperature right now is 64. I have to remind myself that this is why I live here. (Over and over and over, every July and August, I have to remind myself of the spring to come!) We did have more cold weather than is typical here--the annuals froze. But really, the worst aspect of winter for us is explaining to grandkids that no, it will not be snowing for Christmas. Happy spring, all!

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  10. Those of us in San Diego haven't exactly had much of a winter *dodges snowball from the crowd*. We're a bit more worried about not getting our annual monsoon season. However, check out the Carlsbad flower fields and the desert wildflowers at Anza Borrego while you're here.
    If you've got any appearances planned out here or you're willing to hear me gush, pop me an email. Otherwise, have a safe and lovely trip.

    vlettel @ cox.net

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  11. Winter has been slow to leave West Michigan. I will not miss the mounds and mound of snow! We had freezing rain yesterday and 50 degree rain today. Hopefully the sunshine will make an appearance this weekend. I was surprised to see my tulips peaking up today. Have a wonderful trip.

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  12. I thought spring had come last weekend and then I ended up at the National Zoo with my niece and nephew in snow. (But on the bright side no crowds to see the Panda and Tiger cubs). My sister-in-law says the daffodils are starting to come up but I've yet to see any. I will feel it is finally spring when I can finally place some flowers from the garden on my table.

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  13. I'm in southern Indiana, and spring has just gotten started here. I'll be heading south to Florida on the 13th. Can't wait!
    The worst part about winter? Feeling trapped in the house!

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  14. Lucky you! What a lovely way to greet the spring!! It's creeping into spring here in Pittsburgh. The worst part about winter for me? My body hates feeling cold! I celebrate springtime by taking longer daily walks enjoying the changes every day brings, little by little.

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  15. We have had a few days of summer and a few days of spring. I do love spring and the nice temperatures.

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  16. What I hate about winter is the icy cold wind!! It is getting to be spring here, the temps are finally coming up. I love all the spring flowers and going to buy flowers for my yard.

    mlawson17 at Hotmail dot com

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  17. The weather has warmed up to 45' here in Southeastern Massachusetts. It's expected to be in the 50's -60's this week. I am glad the cold weather in behind us. The crocuses have bloomed in my yard. Bring on Spring!

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  18. one day we have 40's or 50's and the next we have freezing rain in the low 30's or even as low as 20. I am heartly sick of winter here in Mi. I want spring before the summer equinox.

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  19. I agree that winter here in MI was totally crazy this past year. It's 50 degrees right now and I'm in a tank top and no socks or shoes. Yup, it's going to be a celebratory spring. I love finally smelling the growing smell.
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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