I see spring coming

Everyday Ellis asks me if it’s spring already. She’s tired of winter (except for Christmas) and can’t wait to wear short sleeves without me nagging her about a jacket.

The arrival of spring will be a sweet relief from the cold winter months. My mind associates this coming season with warmer days, longer afternoons, and the blooming of nature. Last Sunday gave a glimpse of what exceptionally beautiful days look like.

I wrote a post last November that nature is at its best in autumn: leaves showing its brilliant colors and gracefully leaping off branches. Now with spring approaching, my earlier declaration needs modification: spring is another favorite season of mine!

The following are some pictures I took on recent walks with my kids.

My initial love for seeing nature in transition started in my mid 20s when I was a student in NYC. Never before did I have a snow day nor experience the excitement of classes getting cancelled because of the snow.

In the early 2000s, walking to school and saw this car half filled with snow

Snow covered cars

As a native Californian where sunny weather is the norm, I barely noticed differences in seasons. So when confronted with snowy weather and frigid temps (although snow is beautiful to see), my appreciation for  comfortable weather took a turn.

I anticipated the days when bare branches would begin to sprout baby leaves and bright blooms would begin peeking out of little buds. On a practical note, warm weather meant the bleeding cracks on my knuckles would heal soon.

It took living in a place with four distinct seasons to cultivate my appreciation for nature. The weather is not as dramatic in San Jose as NYC, but seasons here are noticeably beautiful and mesmerizing too.

When I see nature in bloom, I can’t help but be in awe of God’s creation; His creativity and handiwork are so apparent in these lovely sights. They are a reflection of His goodness, beauty, uniqueness, and magnificence. But I wouldn’t mind if flowers stayed in their bloom state longer.

Matthew 6:28-30

²⁸ “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.    –Anne Frank