Spring is a time for renewal

I will remember the winter of 2015 as extremely exhausting weatherwise, not because of large snowfalls, but just because of the many small nuisance storms.

As I get older, I find that if I can avoid driving in nasty weather, then I will, not because of my skill, but more due to the lack of skill of other drivers.

I am still amazed anyone living in this area of Pennsylvania really forgets or never learns how to drive in the snow. It seems to get worse each year instead of better.

This winter was really treacherous because the storms only dropped a few inches at a time instead of a decent accumulation.

As most of you know, 2 inches is just enough for the traffic to melt the snow on the pavement, which then freezes before being covered, creating a skating rink instead of a highway. At least when 4 or 5 inches cover the road, it does provide some traction. I am so glad those days appear to be behind us for several months now.

Yes, we are all looking forward to spring that magical time when life begins anew. I have always been fascinated with how the lifeless winter world around us transforms itself into the lively, beautiful spring.

The dead-looking trees and grass blossom and bloom and become renewed, and soon our yards are green, the leaves are on the trees along with blossoms and everything smells fresh again.

One spring as I walked each day, I paid attention to the bushes and trees, watching as those seemingly dead sticks and shrubs sprout new growth.

Slowly but surely buds appear in the new branches over a period of weeks and then the magic happens. Seemingly overnight, the buds open and new leaves spring forth from the little shells that vacate the branch, and the fresh greenery dresses the trees in a new outfit gearing up for summer. Soon those little leaves form a full canopy of shade and coolness from the summer sun and heat.

In a similar fashion, spring brings new love, new opportunities and growth for us as well. I really think as I get older there is some validity to the idea of weather-related depression. I know the winters are really hard for me, especially as they get to February and March. They seem to dull initiative and wear down the spirit.

While I am not a big fan of daylight saving time, I think the change and the evening light tends to brighten our spirits a bit and gives us a sense of anticipation for the new season.

Sometimes it is hard to remember that winter does have a purpose. It is there to provide a time of regeneration and planning for the upcoming year. We used to use the other nine months for storing supplies and planning for winter. When winter came, we enacted our plans, used our stored supplies and relaxed and planned for the upcoming year. Even though most of us do not farm and rely on stores for year-round supplies, we should use winter as a time of regrouping and planning, a time of preparation for spring and new opportunities. As we move forward from this point, we can begin again just as the trees and flowers spring forth new life.

Spring also brings other activities to mind. As many parents did, we took Kathryn to the annual Easter egg hunt at the Hilltop Community Center. She has really learned the ins and outs of egg hunts this year.

I remember fondly the first year when a close encounter with the 6-foot-tall Easter bunny paralyzed her with fear, and instead of hunting Easter eggs she spent the 30 seconds trying to regain her composure.

The past two years though have made all the difference. She learned the skill of a good Easter egg hunter and did pretty well this year, finding two winning eggs in the field of trinkets and candy-stuffed plastic eggs. It was a great job by the Summit Hill Recreation Commission again this year.

Spring also brings the sounds of splashes from fishing lines hitting local waterways and lakes. I'm not a dedicated angler, but I have gotten licenses periodically to fish. The last time we took Kathryn was a few years ago when the locusts or cicadas returned.

While the insects did not initially bother her, she saw a little boy cry hysterically, and that was it. When the next one landed on her it quickly ended the fishing trip. Perhaps this year we will finally convince her they won't return and we can go without that threat.

The other activity that Kathryn has been looking forward to is baseball. My daughter is growing quite a love for the sport, and I'm grateful to all the volunteers and coaches of the Anthracite Little League who have worked with her and help her grow and hopefully love the sport.

They stress fun first, and that is what it should be all about at this age. It's too bad when some parents live through their children and make the sport at this level so competitive. They should lighten up and just be glad their children are learning how to play and enjoy this all-American pastime. I'm looking forward to practices and her games and watching as she gets better and better.

I wish all of you a blessed spring and an enjoyable one. Get out, take a walk, put away the cellphone and enjoy the magic of the world around you.

Till next time ...