Renewal and Reaffirmation...

by Dorothy Frazier

Of all the seasons that pass by so quickly by, the one I am most fond of is Spring. I have always felt a renewal of inner spirit and a sense of anticipation when the first hint of emerging leaves adds a soft touch of green to a landscape joyfully brightened by early flowering trees and bulbs.

To me, Spring is not only a resurgence of nature's life force after the chilling and often dreary days of winter, but a reaffirmation of the celebration of life itself: a time to enjoy friends and family, to renew old acquaintances and brighten our personal lives.

Just saying the words, the Spring of 99, imparts a special feeling... nostalgia at the ending of an era and a surge of hope at the possibilities ahead. As the last Spring of the 20th century, it is, I feel, deserving of special attention.

For a number of reasons, this Spring will be dearer to me than all of those I have encountered: it is the first spring at my new address. For the first time I will be planting my very own vegetable garden and I plan to share its abundance with friends. Celebrating life through enjoyment of preparing and sharing nature's bounty is also a source of renewal of spirit and a reaffirmation of the importance of friends and loved ones.

Many people welcome the season with a bright, new outfit. More importantly, the religious significance of Lent and Easter offers a time of reflection and re-dedication. Spring awakens a desire to become more involved in life itself, to express oneself through the arts, music, or volunteering to help others-ways of individual expression are endless, but each adds to a sense of living as opposed to existing.