New Beginnings

Spring has always been regarded as a time for new beginnings.  Taking a cue from our environment, we tend to start peeling back our protective shells and exposing ourselves (mind OUT of gutter, please!) to the world little by little.

At first, the shell begins to soften like a seed.  Toward the end of winter, we begin our germination process...the cabin fever sets in, and we start to long for warmer weather.  But it comes gradually.  An immediate transition would be too jarring.  There would be no time to notice the small differences.

Without the transition period from winter to spring, we may not notice the cosmos sprouts above, for example.  Or the cherry tomato sprouts here:

For this transition period, I am grateful.  It reminds me of the fact that, no matter how old you are, there is still magic in the world.  There are still small miracles happening every day.

Less than a week ago, I planted these seeds in my indoor greenhouse starter kits.  Today, they began to show me how eager they are to show themselves.  In a few weeks, they will be strong enough to plant outside.  There they will continue growing and strengthening until they bear beautiful flowers and fruit.

I'm waiting for my moonflowers and sweet peas to sprout...shouldn't be too long.  And before class today I'm planning to sow more seeds for chives, green onions, basil and morning glories.

Each of these seeds has to fight to become a sprout.  Each sprout fights to become strong enough to overcome its competitors.  The winners are transplanted outside, where they will fight the weather and the bugs for the season.

All this fighting makes it sound as though the odds are stacked against them, and they are.  Yet, they still fight for recognition, to be noticed.  They still share their vulnerable, beautiful flowers with the world. They still bear fruit.

Just like us.