Well... to be precise, at 11:50 pm, it will officially be spring.
I don't know about you, but the first day of spring crept up and totally surprised me this year. At first I thought it was starting this "15 days to slow the spread" this week that put my internal calendar out of whack. Do you find yourself losing track of the days or even approximately where we are in the month? Well, added to our present (somedays feeling like a suspended) reality, spring actually has come early this year. If you've looked at the date and asked yourself if you can remember spring starting this early, the answer would be NO. You can't remember, because it hasn't happened in your lifetime. Spring hasn't come this early in 124 years!
Google it yourself and find out why. At the Old Farmer's Almanac website I found more information than I could digest in one sitting, but something else stood out to me that I didn't know - that there are two first days of spring every year. There is an astrological first day of spring and a meteorological first day of spring. Did you know that?
For me, the first day of spring always seems like cause for celebrating. Or at least recognition.
It's a rainy day, with severe weather threatening, so it's not really suitable for a walk - which would be the obvious thing to do to ring in spring. But I already had a plan. On this first day of spring I've hung up a brand new spring wreath - a wreath that was ordered and delivered to me in February. I've been waiting weeks for this! And today I'm so happy to finally have it hanging on my front door.
On this otherwise dreary, rainy day, in the midst of so many things shutting down over this nasty, scary virus, I'm thinking of this wreath as a symbol of hope. There may be some frightening and surely sad days ahead for many people - related to the virus as well as other perilous things that happen on this earth. But this uncertain time will pass, and new ones will come. In them all I purpose to hold tight to faith in God who knows the number of all the white and graying hairs on my head (as well as what few dark ones I have left).
It's my prayer that each of us experiences today, this first day of spring, as a gift. The gift of another day, but also a gift of hope. I also pray that you are kept safe - from the present virus and from any other perils that may threaten.
Stay safe. Stay well.
~~~~~
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
~ Hebrews 11:1
Spring took me by surprise this year. We've been waiting for the other weather shoe to drop, with snowstorms after a mild winter. We've had blizzards in April! Not often, though. So maybe I'll put my puffy coat away.
ReplyDeleteThe wreath is lovely. I never seem to get around to a wreath. Usually because I start making one and don't get far.
Maybe there are wreath people and nonwreath people.
{giggling) If my hanging a wreath had to depend on my making one, I'd never get around to hanging one either. This is the first house I think I've tried hanging seasonal wreaths on the front door of. It may be because I have a wooden door (for the first time) that I can drive a nail through. Or maybe it's just because there was a nail in the door when we moved it and it begged for something to hang from it. This year, when I took off the Christmas wreath I didn't have anything suitable for winter to replace it with. So I decided I'd "fast" from wreathing for 2 1/2 months. That made putting up my pretty new one even sweeter. ;^)
DeleteWhat a pretty wreath. I thought this was early for spring to hit. But it is nice to think it has started. My sister in law, in Denver, is getting 10 inches of snow today. Glad all we got was rain.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought it was early. Isn't it funny how a change of two days is noticeable?
DeleteGood words!
ReplyDeleteYour wreath is beautiful and springy. It is just gorgeous here. I have walked multiple times a day just down the street and back to be outside. Tomorrow I plan to do a little work outside! I think rain is coming here tomorrow night.
I'm looking forward to the rain stopping (it's rained for two days now - after the rainiest winter I can remember). While I don't welcome how busy the greenway trail has become during this "15 days", I do look forward to getting back on it.
DeleteVery pretty wreath! I appreciated the information about the first day of spring, as I too was wondering why on earth it is so early this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks too for your words of wisdom and faith concerning this dark time for our country and world. Clinging to God and trusting His good plan is the only way I personally can get through this. I loved your idea of looking at this first day of spring as a gift of hope.
Thank you, Mrs. T. My thoughts are simple ones, but after sorting through all the confusion of the past few weeks, simple thoughts are about all I can muster at the moment; faith is the only place to land that gives me peace.
DeleteSuch a lovely post in these cray times. I love your wreath! Super cheery on the start of the rainy spring!
ReplyDeleteThank you, SweetCakers! Funny... after taking the picture, I haven't seen it again. I haven't left the house since writing this post. Rain, and now cold may keep me in for a few more days. But next week it looks like the 50's will be back! That makes for nice walking temperatures.
DeleteAmen to Hebrews 11:1! I didn't know a lot of this about spring lol. It's typically a day I am anticipating and ready to celebrate but it actually DID sneak up on me!! I just realized it when watching the news (which I try to not watch much of these days!). I had actually already planned to put up all of my Easter/Spring decor today and still will do that even though here too it is supposed to be quite cold and windy but thankfully we will get a brief break from all the rain we have been having.
ReplyDeleteWe're back in a pattern of rainy days. And it's turned cold again this weekend. I can't decide if I prefer it that way since I'm trying to stay home and away from germs. I am looking forward to the 50's next week. And I think we all need more sunshine right now...
DeleteWhat a pretty wreath! Happy Spring to you and you also stay well. "Don't worry, be happy"!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam. :)
DeleteLovely wreath - very spring-like. I've lost track of what day it is too and it's an odd sensation. Good thing it comes up on my computer or I'd be sunk! Thank you for the wonderful bible verse - it's one we should be reminded of. Take care of you my friend - stay safe, stay well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Anne. :)
DeleteBeautiful, beautiful post Becki! What a perfect way to welcome spring . . . with that lovely wreath and symbol of hope that you have added to your front door! I am drinking in your encouraging words!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your encouraging words, Cheryl.
DeleteWhat a pretty wreath. I am losing track of the days. I haven't worn my Apple watch since surgery since I wasn't going to be working out. I didn't go to my oral surgeon appointment before the shutdowns b/c I had hurt my foot so I still have stitches in my mouth and haven't worked out since.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you've had a lot a pain lately, Stef. Heal up and don't get yourself sick!
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