The Return of Green

 Years ago, when we first moved to Iowa in the dead of winter, I seriously considered the state of my sanity. Coming from coastal Texas to a December winter snowstorm and a sick wife was a tough welcome to Iowa. However, when spring finally rolled around, the change from the dull grays, browns, and tans of winter to the vivid greens of spring was like drinking a magic elixir for my soul. Even in arid coastal Texas, the spring's colors were not as pronounced as in our adopted Iowa home. So, each spring I look forward to the return to the green explosion that our rich earth allows us to experience. And it never disappoints.

The counterpoint to this is over the winter, we had an arbor company trim our trees substantially. This translates into less foliage and, at present, more bald spots in what is our grass. This is not bothersome because my goal is to turn our entire lawn into a garden space. Year by year, I make headway toward that garden in my mind that will be grass-free and plant-rich. In the fall, I added a lot more daffodils, spring-blooming crocuses, and paperwhites. Deer eat our tulips, so we now are all in on things that deer are not so fond of. We are watching the leaves of the hyacinths, daffodils, snowballs, and more coming up--lead by their burst of green leaves. We are seeing the moss turn green. We are seeing grass greening. With the hints of purples, yellows, and whites of the earliest blooming flowers, we are seeing the changing of the garden guard with excitement and joy. 

We know that spring will not last nearly long enough and that this victory over the ravages of winter soon will become a distant memory, particularly when you consider how time keeps moving faster as we age. But for now, my heart is gladdened by the return of the green and all the brighter colors that will follow. It may be true that all seasons are important to the well-being of the earth, but none is more welcome than the verdant spring and the very real hope that easily attaches to it.