Spring Surprises and Pleasures

The other day I was sorting out a cupboard I very rarely go into.  It's where we keep board games and such like.  I found a jigsaw that I don't remember ever having completed.  So as I carefully re-organised the cupboard and put everything back in some sort of order, I decided to leave the jigsaw puzzle out.  It is a puzzle of 1000 pieces with a lot of green trees so I guessed it would take quite a long time to do it, especially as I only go to it in my spare time.  I haven't finished it yet but had almost forgotten just how much I enjoy completing jigsaws.  I have spent an unexpected but very pleasant and satisfying few hours seeing the picture gradually coming to life. 

I took this at about 7 o'clock in the morning.

Although it still rains just about every day, at least the really bad storms that caused so much damage over the past 2 months seem to have subsided somewhat.  Between showers, it can sometimes be rather pleasant and the sun does have a more warming effect than during the winter months.  The other morning was one such time when early morning I was able to sit in the doorway at the back of the house - early morning is still a bit nippy to sit outside, for me anyway - and I enjoyed my first mug of coffee of the day looking and listening to creation.  The early birds were calling to each other, a couple flitting by 'making friends' as the male sought to convince a female to set up nest with him.  The sun was just beginning to appear, its glow painting the clouds pink against the blue sky.  A moment of heaven's beauty.

Daffodils in Yeovil

That same morning I was able at last to get out into the garden and start sorting out, trimming back and clearing up after the winter.  There needs to be a time of dark days and cold weather.  It is the time when the garden seemingly dies back but in actual fact it is a time of secret growing, deep underneath and hidden.  We don't see it but we wait and then, as if by magic, when the days become a little longer and the air is a bit warmer, creation begins to stir again and is re-awakened.  I walked around the garden.  The crocuses were in flower and the daffodils in bud, there are new leaves appearing on the buddleia, cherry tree and fig tree as the garden wakes up and gets dressed.  The green verges of our town are full of spring flowers and I even heard a neighbour giving his lawn its first trim of the year.  The sounds and sights of early spring cheer the heart. 


This week I also heard from a friend who had moved and I didn't know her new address so haven't been in touch for some time.  We journeyed together for a while when she went through a very difficult personal family time.  We spent many hours together.  I mostly listened, gave hugs and made mugs of coffee.  Eventually after a number of months she was able to begin moving forward, putting the past behind her, eventually meeting someone who was able to offer her a future together.  In the post the other day I received a note telling me to keep a certain date in June free when she and her new friend would seek God's blessing on their marriage.  What a lovely surprise.  It is so good to know that she is now enjoying life again.

Spring has sprung and things are beginning to stir into activity!  It puts a smile on my face just to look at the new life emerging and say 'Welcome Spring'.