Celebration of Life

I know it sounds a bit corny, but every spring I get so excited about the beginning of new life, the smell of dirt, the lettuce popping up.  This morning we had another much-needed spring rain.  I carelessly opened the window and sucked in the freshness.

In the last two weeks the red-winged black birds have returned to our beyond-the-yard tall grasses.  The robins have blessed our newly planted oak tree with their presence.  They’ve also begun their yearly battle with Rusty, building unwanted nests under the deck.  I am thrilled to hear morning songs from the birds, despite the early hour.

The redbud we planted 3 years ago eked out only 3 tiny blossoms, but with last summer's heat, drought and bug attacks, we are happy it is alive and growing.

The 3 forsythia bushes I bought at the end of the season clearance sale last August at Home Depot are also alive and growing.  Only one bush had a few yellow blossoms; I’m hoping for better results next year.

New hostas have popped up under the deck and the peony bushes look like they might finally take hold. 

A friend of mine started the Widow’s Group that was so incredibly helpful to me after Frank’s death.  I feel sad and conflicted that this week she succumbed to death by suicide.

This gorgeous display was at her Celebration of Life.    

We witnessed the baptism of another new baby in church this morning; it is affirmation that life does go on.

Life is not simple.  It knows both joy and sorrow.  As I look through the kitchen window at my newly-opened daffodils, I celebrate life!