Springtime is life reborn. The hard times of winter are over. Older people were afraid to go out because of the slippery ice creating the danger of falling and breaking their bones. Now they are set free from their confinement and have firm ground to walk on.
Winter is hard on the poor as well. Homes are expensive to heat; fruit and vegetables must be brought from far off and are accordingly more expensive.
For people going to work by car, starting, warming and clearing snow and ice from their windshields and windows is a chore and the winter roads make driving more stressful and uncertain. Waiting for a bus can be unpleasant, especially if it is windy.
But come spring and the white blanket disappears and the water flows again. Soon a green carpet of grass replaces it. The trees come to life and leaves and flowers soon appear.
Water, which God gives so freely, begins to flow again as the rivers and streams are loosed from winter’s icy grip — water — so precious as anyone who has ever seen desert lands such as are in Libya, a place where I once lived, where my husband once worked as a water engineer.
Water, so necessary for drinking, cleaning and watering all growing things.
Now the geese and other migratory birds are going once again to their nesting grounds in the north and local birds are building their nests here and serenading as they do so; how cheerful and sweet are their songs.
The days lengthen and people can relax in their backyards or patios when they come home from work.
I love the spring — someday we will have an eternal spring. Has not God promised us after this winter, which we call life!
Nicole Richer, St. Albert
