The coming of springtime has always been an uplift to me and my spirits, which have had to trudge through the winter coldness the last few months. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have witnessed the four seasons come and pass every year and have been grateful to be living there because I got to feel the summer sun, see the rainbow of fall leaves, the whiteness of the winter snow, and then smell the blooms that flourish in the spring. I loved having snow days and being able to sled with my siblings and make snowmen, as well being able to jump into a pile of leaves I just raked up. But now as I grow older, a sort of "winter depression" casts itself over me, and now I would be happy if lived farther down south. The coming of spring means so much more than just "April Showers bring May Flowers. It means that once again I can breathe in life, and look outside and see that life which gives me life.

Spring means...

Being able to see finally see more than just squirrels up in the trees

Being able to go outside and not feeling so dead

Having more of a propensity to spend time outside with the sun on my face

That summer is even closer than before

That I can walk on the ground in my bare feet and not shiver

That I can get into my car and not have to warm it up for 10 minutes

Being able to eat outside on the grass

Planting seeds and other plants outside

That I can go out on the town with my friends without my coat

Being able to read outside with the natural light and warmth

Putting down my electronics because I want to be outside

Putting on my shorts and t-shirt with no weather worries, except for maybe a little rain

Going on comfortable runs outside

Finally feeling freed from the harshness of winter

Being able to put my sweaters and jeans away

Just going on walks

Being able to sit outside at night with my family and just talk

And finally having myself back.

Spring to me is so much more than just a change of seasons. It is a change of attitude. A change of life.