And so it is now Spring. Friday, March 20, marked the day officially and we have been seeing signs for the past couple weeks - bird activity (my count for the year is up to 35 different species), wood frog "quacking" and eggs, daffodils and crocus blooming, and the chickens laying in full swing. The backyard is now more green than brown and I cleared several of the garden beds and planted lettuce seeds. Today it is snowing and the little babe is in the backyard with her trusty plastic red sled. She just brought me a delivery of two fresh chicken eggs. I can see a male and female cardinal claiming their territory in the apple tree - I believe they are setting up house in the large yew bush nearby. The Lenten roses are holding strong, their sturdy pink blossoms bowed, but not broken.
And so I am now another year older, which means I probably have another line beneath each eye, maybe another gray hair that I didn't notice because it is not just one or two anymore. I am okay with that. Life is good. Yes, and I will say that again because I think it needs to be said more than ever in this time of fear and worry. Life is good. Not that I haven't had my fair share of panic and stress, and please don't think that my life is just walking in the woods and playing with horses - my husband and I currently have Airbnb properties sitting empty and the beginning of the month mortgages coming fast - but there are still so many good things in each day, so many things to be thankful for. I am glad to be this age, I am glad for this life.
Take care of yourselves and don't forget to smile today. Look in the mirror while you're washing your hands and smile.