Spring, my favorite season

It’s the vernal equinox. This day, with light and darkness of equal length, marks the start of spring.

Spring has always been my favorite season, bringing renewal and new growth all around us. It was my mom’s favorite season, too.

There is a special happiness in the air in the spring. People and animals slowly emerge from their winter hibernation as the light grows longer and the temperatures warm. March winds give way to April showers and greens begin to replace the drab browns of winter. Bulbs burst from the dirt, bringing with them bright blooms of tulips and daffodils. The ferns poke up and begin to unfurl their fronds. The trees miraculously bud and the leafy canopy is restored. The birds arrive with their familiar early morning chirping.

With the longer daylight we spend more time outdoors. Grills return to porches and backyards, and we hear the giggles of kids running about. There’s a coolness below as the snow and ice melt beneath our feet and the warmth begins to penetrate. Runners, cyclists and walkers increase as we all long to shed some winter weight and feel the sun on our faces. The air is fresh.

Of course, spring also brings back many chores like mowing the lawn and tending to gardens. Potholes appear on our roads, as if trying to wake us up from our winter slumber. Spring cleaning begins in many homes, washing windows and shaking the dust of life from our rugs and curtains. The mosquitoes, ants, flies and other insects return, too, for their time in the sun.

Spring is a time for reinventing ourselves. More than any other time of year, our hard work is tempered by joy and anticipation.