Spring?

In this part of the world, one looks for any signs of spring and graciously accepts whatever may be interpreted as a sign of the end of winter. It doesn't matter that there are still heaps of snow outside, and it doesn't matter that the temperature hasn't been above zero since the January thaw, and it doesn't matter that the equinox is still a few weeks away. Spring is still in the air - for today.

The first sign I have found (or grasped at!) is that the sun now streams into our livingroom window for about 5 minutes at noontime. That's an exciting one given that we haven't seen it in there since October! The second one is more real for me: the warm feeling of the sun on my face. In the dead of winter, no matter how sunny it may be, the sun never feels warm. In fact, if it's sunny out, you can bet that it's at least minus ten, and there is often a windchill. There is no feeling the sun, only seeing its bright glare.

But this morning, it was different. It's still cold out, but the sun was kind as it caressed my cheeks and nose, offering its promise of hot July days. Even the slight breeze was gentle, if still cool. There may still be weeks and weeks of snow ahead, but the warmth of the sun and the continuing tilting of the earth toward it have promised a return to light, to warmth, to life.

I can't wait to run through the sprinklers with Maïa and Solanne.