(This is for the Slice of Life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. We write each Tuesday — and all through March — about the small moments in the larger perspective … or is that the larger perspective in the smaller moments? You write, too.)
A good friend of mine yesterday sent his group of pals — including me — a beautiful shot of the beach near his house as a text message. Blue skies. Sun, bright as a flashlight. Waves lapping at the shore. Sand everywhere you look. He lives just a few hours south of me, in Connecticut.
“Lovely day at the beach,” he wrote.
It felt like he was taunting me.
I looked out my back door here in Western Massachusetts, saw nothing but hills of white, and a snowman my son and I built the other day leaning left, and texted back: “Still got $%&*load of snow in our yard.”
There is still way too much snow here, although this week’s warming weather — via the same weather front that is giving him temps in the mid-50s to low 60s — will likely melt off a few more inches, and likely create more ice for us to slip on. But still, who can argue with warmer weather during February break? We might even hit 50 this week.
My son rode his bike on the bike path all the way into the town center for a breakfast sandwich yesterday. No ice on the path, he reported, as if he were a scout on patrol for the changing season and monsters were just on the edge of the horizon.
I nodded at his keen observation. It’s way too early to be looking for flowers and I am no fool. The calendar says “February,” and I know winter ain’t done with us yet.
But even fools can dream of Spring, right?
Peace (sunny and mild),
Kevin
Your slice made me smile. The yearning for spring is similar on both sides of the ocean. A bit of sunshine, some chirping birds and I too am a fool dreaming of spring in February.
I think spring is teasing me right now. The temperatures have been very mild here and I keep reminding myself that it can still snow in March. I, too, dream of spring, a spring that will stay. Nice piece, Kevin. I could hear your writer’s voice throughout your post.
The signs that Spring is coming are there. They plant a seed of hope in our hearts.
It was 65 in New Jersey this Saturday…crocuses bloomed. So, I didn’t feel so alone in dreaming of Spring. Winter is not done, for sure, but it’s given us the tiniest space in which to dream.
I like hearing about your scout, letting you know that there is hope in the melt. We’ve had record warmth here in Denver, & will today, but snow/rain is coming later in the week. We need it desperately, & we all wonder about March’s mercurial days. Spring will come, but not before some surprises I know.