February Will Give Way

First came the cold, a temperature drop so fast and low the body could not adapt. Then came the snow followed by ice and rain flooding the yard, creating new ponds, as ice still lay in a thick sheet on the surface. Gradually, the wind and rain passed and the sky revealed a glint of blue but the clouds rolled in gray and dark. It inched out the brief staggered light of the sun and once again, the world lay chilled and frozen in its wake. Yet still, somehow in the clearing away the wind blown leaf debris revealed life pushing forward. In the confines of the once bloom filled garden were tattered iris fronds bent low with light green shoots waiting to come forth. In the protected leaf cover rose pointed glimmers of dark green barely two inches tinged with white, crocus. Leaning toward the sunlight, brief as it was clinging to the short warmth provided with promise of more to come. Taller still, off to the side, green clumps with yellow bases stretching four inches up penetrating frozen, solid ground. Through the ominous darkness of smoky clouds appears an opening edged in puffy white and blue sky beaming with the sun. February will give way, allowing winter to take a bow and leave as spring anticipates with new life. Now at last, the cold will pass and sunrise and sunset will breathe with the promise of hope and life of a new generation. and God’s everlasting love.