Spring, glorious Spring.

Welcome to birds singing, rivers running from the snow melting, green plants coming up, bushes showing off their lush arrivals, animals and humans shedding their heavy coats as we welcome Spring. April is the month we get to enjoy spring, connecting with the different holidays such as Easter and Passover!

I know that for many families, these are very important holidays, if for no other reason than enjoying the children smiling. Children love dying Easter eggs, looking for Easter baskets, and running in Easter egg hunts, going to Seders where they get to sit next to grandma and ask the four questions. If you’ve grown up with any of these traditions, they will pop into your thoughts during Spring/April. If you had stylish mothers where you will wear fancy coats, hats (Easter bonnets), and maybe, where you live, there was an Easter parade! Those certainly could be strong memories, my God, how they dressed!

A little FYI for spring: The Easter Bunny, according to history, states: The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.

However, according to the History Channel and some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S., and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case they get hungry from all the hopping around.

Thus, as we all know, it’s all about how the stories are passed down; most importantly, it’s a time to connect, or reconnect, enjoy, be still, and bask in being with loved ones and friends, whomever they may be. These holidays can be especially special for folks who don’t have family or places to go. Many folks loved to go to Seders or to be invited to Easter dinner to connect and share with others. These do not and most times are not religious, but more cultural, just sharing the customs of sharing food, love, and friendship.

When I reflect during Spring, with all the beauty of nature during this time, and listening to those damn noisy birds, especially the woodpeckers, squirrels, and chipmunks scurrying around, I watch the trees waiting to bud, and I, for one, am in awe of nature’s learnings, wisdom, and gifts to us.

Recently, while I was doing a bit of spring cleaning, I came across Rachel Carson’s book: Silent Spring. I was struck by her deep sense of caring for nature before a time when one was concerned about what was to come of the air, water, and land. *Rachel Louise Carson was an American marine biologist, author, and conservationist whose book Silent Spring and other writings are credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Clearly, a woman way before her time.

I couldn’t help feeling, while glancing through the book, how deeply I and the rest of us would feel if spring really were silent! If you live in the four seasons, like me, when spring rolls around, you’re jumping for joy! Now, don’t get me wrong, each session has its beauty and speciality, but after a cold winter, seeing the beauty of spring puts a skip in your step! Gotta be close to my favorite season, as for many

I have traveled all over the world,  and I always end up having conversations with so many folks where we end up talking about places that are great for all the beauty of nature: beaches, gardening, taking hikes, skiing, and enjoying the sun.

Honestly, it warms my heart knowing how important it is to do all we can do so our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will also share in all this beauty. The native folks’ philosophy says we need to save the earth for 7 generations. This is not something any of us can leave for others to do, including our government. It is something we all need to do because our children inherit the air, water, and all of beautiful Mother Earth that sustains us. Just as we protect those we love.

I just saw a clip where this 80-year-old woman was offered $65,000 an acre for her 250-acre farm! She turned it down. She said what happens when there’s a recession, and people need land to eat, and there is none because the corporations bought it all! Wow! That’s loving the land. I grew up remembering one thing my dad always said, “They aren’t making it anymore of it.” Land!.

Enjoy Spring, kick off your shoes, kick up your heels, and whistle a tune. As always, I look forward to connecting with so many of you as we watch the flowers bloom!

As always with love,

Suzane