“To us also, through every star, through every blade of grass, is not God made visible if we will open our eyes.”

– Thomas Carlyle

The glaciers are receding, the sky is bright will promise, and Spring is on its way to our world.  Well, they’re not really glaciers, but when I saw the rows of snow piles created in our park by the truckloads of snow removed from the streets this winter, I thought of glaciers.  As I walked gingerly over the black ice created by yesterdays stream of melting water, I realized that it won’t be long before they disappear and give the world over to the green of Spring.

For weeks I’ve missed my morning walks as show gave way to ice that blocked my walking route.  Today I returned to my morning spots and was filled with the hope of warm days ahead.  Circles of ice surrounded the trunks of trees where yesterday’s melting had frozen during the night.  Bare patches of earth in drier locations sent out the first scents of soil and grass that have touched the air since the last days of Fall.  ”She’s back!” called the crows from their treetop posts, and I wondered whether they saw me as one of the harbingers of Spring.  I called back to them.  ”Good to see you!  Have you wintered well in your place beyond the clouds?”  A lone towhee called out his name from a hiding place deep in the branches of the pine.  In a week or two, maybe he will join us in the visible world; but for now he remains hidden in his winter home.  The sun began to assert his place as ruler of the sky, and I reveled in my return to my favorite sunrise spot.  There is nothing like the cold, dark winter to bring us renewed joy at the coming of Spring.  I tucked my hands deep in my pockets and left the bridge to Spring behind.  My fingers warmed just in time to retrieve my camera once again and share with you the last surprise of my return.  There, on the sweet magnolia tree, buds by the hundreds had appeared, promising that beauty and new life lies just around the corner.  Standing once again on the bridge to Spring, I felt my heart skip a beat.