Turn toward the sun

See that blue sky?  Spring has come.

One week ago, we had snow day #7.

On Sunday I pumped up the long-flat bicycle tires.

Yesterday we stopped at the playground on a whim; we swam in the sunshine and climbed with our souls.

Melting snow mountains are fun to climb.

Life’s best pleasures are messy.

Today the tricycles and scooters whirled around and around and around on the driveway.

Our driveway is once again a haphazard gallery of chalk art.

The gigantic snow lady in our front yard is reduced to a six-inch mound of snow with mittens, hat and scarf swirling in the dirt around her.  You think Olaf had melting problems…

The first perennials are sprouting up, confused little sprouts that they are; the snow melted to reveal them.

Snow pants and boots are washed and put away.

Galoshes and umbrellas replace mittens and hats in the hall closet.

I linger outside during these first spring days.

The world smells muddy; it feels hopeful.

We are free without the bulk of our winter coats.

I turn my face to the sun and bask in the warmth.  It’s the literal execution of a thought I think most days.  I do it every year; yet I’m still surprised at the sting of the first early spring sunburn.  I smile my pink smile and know good things are to come.

It’s spring; let us all turn toward the sun.