Circle of Life

The circle of life here in upstate New York is strong. We endure long winters. Strong winters. Winters that demand respect. Winters that make you sit up and pay attention. Alright, maybe its no big deal to those of you who are born and raised in the northeast. For those of us who migrated from the west, it is a matter of survival. I don’t love the weather-related driving dangers, but I love the beautiful snowy white, dream-like winter wonderland in my morning walk in my neighborhood. Installing snow-tires, getting out the coats and scarves, replacing worn gloves are oddly comforting reminders that I am alive. We hunker down, making sure the freezer is full and the pantry is stocked. It makes us glance at our neighbors’ front doors a little more frequently as we drive home, as if it would give us a hint if they are doing OK. It reminds us we are fragile human.

Just now within days of spring, the magic moment is here. Like clockwork, a hint of fuzzy green begins to appear on otherwise bare tree branches. I absolutely love this time of the year. I am vigilant about not missing my morning walks to make sure I will not miss the gentle whisper of green on those beaten branches. I would think to myself, “is it or is it not?” They remind me of the first whimper of newborns. You know there is a big cry building in there, but the voice is just barely audible. On my morning run today, I saw buds bursting all over the Maple tree in the front yard and tiny green leaves boldly announcing themselves on the crabapple by the front door. The sight makes me so happy!

Just the other day at an out-of-town dietitian gathering, I told someone of the beautiful sun-kissed morning greeting me as I left the hotel. I said it made me want to sing. To that he asked, “did you sing?” It gave me pause. I replied, “yeah, you are right, why not?”