South Dakota Spring

All throughout the Black Hills this morning was heard a mournful wail: "Noooooooooooooooooo!" That was me, raising the rollshades in my bedroom, only to see my newly-greened lawn covered in fresh snow. Just yesterday I had read out in the backyard, lounging on a lawn chair, in shorts and sleeveless top. I'd actually pulled the chair into the shade 'cause the sun was too hot!

I threw on a bathrobe and raced outside to check on my daffodils. Made several trips to cut a couple dozen of them for a huge bouquet, trying to save as many as I could, yet not wanting to strip the bed entirely in case they could survive . . .

Later, when the snow slowed, I went out and tapped the snow off each of the remaining blooms--another couple dozen.

I know they are just flowers. I know the weather will eventually warm. I know many people are suffering right now from far worse than a spring snow and the possible loss of a few flowers.

But for me, today, my efforts to save these beauties help me feel hopeful about the nearing end of a long winter, not just in my town, but in my heart and soul.

Hold on to Hope

My heart is overflowing right now. My morning was filled with the sweetness of seeing progress in a personal relationship. That joy was tempered this afternoon by news of a suicide. A dear young woman who sponsors an artists' blog (ThursdaySweetTreat) shared on that site the loss of a family member. Comments on the site offered comfort, also revealing how many of them had also been touched by "the echoes of suicide."

My desire here is to reach out to anyone struggling, either with their own thoughts of suicide, or in the aftermath of someone else's attempt or successful act. Whoever you are, know that you are loved. I send my love out to you right now, right here.

I'm sharing some photos of my flowers here. That might seem silly at first. But we've had a really harsh winter, and I would have expected these little guys to have given up. But they didn't. Today was the first day they finally bloomed. Let their persistent beauty wrap you in the warmth of love, in hope, in the promise of a brighter day.

Hang on. I love you.