What are blessings for...
It is easy, in this atmosphere of light and growing things, to pretend that all is well.
I’ve been sleeping a lot, and have the philosophy that if you sleep it’s because you need to, so this morning the sun was already rising when I woke. I wanted to lie in bed and watch, but the dogs had other ideas, so I went with them to the kitchen and spilled my coffee. No one is coming to the house today, and that is bliss. Yesterday we had so many people in and out that I escaped to the gym and ran errands all afternoon. I can’t work with people in the house, even though their services are most welcome.
Yesterday I bought hyacinths and tulips and pansies to put in the pots by the doors, and two new wreaths. It will be just the two of us for Easter, but I like to recognize the change of seasons. I also bought an armful of cut flowers for the house: yellow and white lilies, pink tulips, daffodils, fuschia carnations, purple alstromeria, and curly willow branches. The willow is not yet in leaf, and I should have bought it last week so its opening would coincide with Easter in Lenten symbolism, but I hadn’t the energy then, so we here we are. I will plant the pots today, and probably buy more frost-safe flowers. Wisconsinites know that planting anything else before Memorial Day is unwise.
The turkeys slept late this morning, too, and I was watching when they flew down from their roosts. They have already melted away into the woods without stopping at our bird feeders. We will see them later, no doubt.
The lake sparkles in the sunlight. There are faint tinges of green on the woodland floor. I think the Jeffersonia is peeking out along with the scilla and the first daffodils, and the purplish-red first leaves of the bluebells are emerging from the mud. It will be cloudy soon, so if I want to see the crocuses, I need to get out early.
It is easy, in this atmosphere of light and growing things, to pretend that all is well. But there is trouble in the world. We gaze upon it. We take up the duties that are to hand. But we also cannot turn our backs on the beauty that is set before us. We keep one foot in each world, using the gifts of one to give us courage to face the other, the blessings and the misfortunes muddled together into the bewildering mess of living.
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It has been a hard week, I know, for all of us, and we have been carrying our grief, fear, and anger around in our hearts. It is difficult to look out and see the chaos around us. But we are not the only human beings in history who have lived through trying times, and although we are required to do what is right, adversity does not require us to live in abject misery. It’s essential to remind ourselves of the good things in the world. Come and hang out with me, the dogs, and this stalwart little community of good people. If you can’t afford a paid subscription, you can still read and comment.
Also: dog photos.
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Be of good cheer.
JFR
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And now for your gratuitous dog photos:
Thank you for reminding us to look at the goodness so difficult to see in these times. Your essays are life-affirming breaths for me.
Beautifully written and a wonderful reminder not to sink into the chaos of the world.
Here in central Texas the weather is quite warm and I pray for much needed rain. My plants are much different. I have petunias in pots until the heat kills them. My yuccas are blooming very nicely. I’ve had the yellow ones for 3 years and this is the first time they’ve bloomed-and blooming they are!!!