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Twelfth century French occitan troubadour Bertran de Born once said of this glorious day, "Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter, that maketh the leaf and the flower come out", a sentiment which all those who live in Northern Hemisphere can certainly relate to. By now, with May rounding the bend in just ten days, most of us have shaken free from winter's icy shackles - and if not, then we at least know, we're very close to that point arriving.
Here, the snow shovels have been tucked away again, the winter boots cleaned, stuffed with crumpled up paper, and stored out of site until next fall, and slowly Mother Nature is beginning to slip out of her ski gear and into her resort wear. There is life, fresh and sparkling, dangling in every drop of dew and on each soft-as-a-cat's-paw-pad flower petal.
We've had spring, if only on paper, for a month now and still two more wait before us, promising everything from snow cones to the first dip of a foot in local waters every bit as chilly as a frozen dessert. Rain is plentiful, but so is hope and beauty. Pond sized puddles catch reflections of rainbows, the farmer's market will soon overflow with carrots, berries, early greens, tender stalks of asparagus, goat's cheese, and new season potatoes. The mood that fills us all, old and young alike, is one of cheerfulness bordering on glee.
We made it through another lengthy Canadian winter, stronger and wiser, I'm sure, for having done so. Now it's time to celebrate - to sing, and dance (if only in spirit) and give thanks for the bounty, blessings, and unrivaled gentle soul of spring. It is a time for fresh starts, age old favourites, sweet treats, walks in the tender sunshine and Sundays, like today, spend in the cherished company of those you care about.
With all my heart, I wish you each a glorious, peaceful and endlessly lovely Easter and rest of the spring. May it be every bit as sweet as a chocolate egg the whole season long!
