As friends in Seattle have faced weeks of rain and cold, Spring or Primavera arrived in Italy in amazing technicolor. Someone described it as flicking on a switch and all the sudden there was spring. Flowers in yellows, purples and white dominate, but pinks are not too far behind. My dear friend Maria has been picking flowers for me every day on our walks, and there is something completely magic about walking into town with a different type of flower every day.
As I walk in, the spring in the flower matches the spring in my step. It is hard to feel heavy or burdened when carrying flowers. But even more, there is something about greeting people you meet with this gift of nature in your hand, that I have received a gift and in greeting others, get the wonderful opportunity to share it. For me it brings nothing but joy.
There is no such thing as a perfect life, and each day there is always sadness, war is prevalent in our world, natural catastrophes have taken their toll, and human waste and destruction abounds. Yet the gift of remembering and seeing the beauty of creation gives abiding hope. I think this is why for countries like Italy Spring is seen as the first season, the prima. It is the grand reminder of all things possible, of the beauty that is within this world. It is so appropriate to have Easter coming in this season, the Christian celebration of new life, eternal bliss. For it is in this season that we see the coming of the flowers, the arrival of lambs and other life returning.
As I spend my afternoons walking the familiar roads with Maria and others, I am reminded of God’s gift to us of life each day. I also note that many of the blossoms are already falling to the ground, it is a reminder to cherish each day as it comes. Every day is sacred, every day has beauty when we slow down to behold it, and if we are so blessed, we can see the flowers reminding us that life always has the opportunity for hope, for color, for beauty.
Where and how do you find hope, even in a dreary spring?
How do you celebrate the beauty when it does come bursting forth in full bloom and color?
How do you give thanks for the hope and beauty you find?
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