Nothing lifts my spirits more than spring wildflowers. Driving along the road, the multitude of colors painting the way, fills my soul with hope. The spring has been exceptionally hard for me this year. The winter was long and cold. The spring has been slow coming, with unseasonably cold weather hanging on. My heart lies heavy in my chest, with an ongoing heartache for a much loved family member.
Spring Beauties It never ceases to amaze me how the tender plants, with their pretty flowers, can emerge in full splendor after lying dormant in the earth, covered by feet of snow, the ground, frozen solid for months on end. In spring, the days start to warm up, the earth thaws, but the nights remain cold, causing the sap from the maple trees to flow, buds to emerge from the barren branches, and flowers to spring forth from the ground much like the hibernating animals.
Trillium A walk in the woods refreshes me, giving me hope for better days ahead, for warm sunshine on my face, and star filled nights around a campfire with friends and family. The blankets of White Trilliums cover the forest floor, May Apples provide little umbrellas to the earth, protecting their flowers underneath.
Jack-in-the-pulpit Columbine, Blue Bells, and Lilies become an audience for the preacher of the woods, the Jack-in-the-pulpit to voice his message of hope, and life that goes on.
Hiking along the streams of water, that not long ago was frozen snow and ice, now flows fast and hard, running to lower ground. Yellow Marsh Marigolds greet me like the sun in the sky. Look closely along the waters edge and find the delicate and beautiful Fairy Orchids with their deep colors and frilly petals, hiding amongst the foliage. Lady Slippers clump together, standing tall to announce their presence, Indian Paintbrush adding a splash of color to the canvas.
Blue Bells I am refreshed, warmed from the cold within, and able to see hope, life, and sunshine for the things troubling my heart. The beauty that surrounds me, fills my troubled heart with hope, and faith that all will be fine just like the flowers that now cover the ground once frozen and snow covered.