Growing up in Florida, I dreamed of crisp fall days, snowy winters, and the plaid ensembles in Seventeen magazine that I thought would be the perfect complement to seasonal weather. Now having spent the bulk of my life in the Northeast, I’ve fully adopted the native perspective on warm weather. It is sacred.
Sitting on my front stoop, I warm my bare legs and feet in the spring sun. It’s still cool in the shade, but in the morning the steps of my front porch are bathed in direct sunlight. A hedge outlines my yard and protects me from the spring breeze that whips down the sidewalk. I feel like a cat as I position myself to fully bask in the warmth and the stillness.
In a matter of weeks, the humidity will start to rise. The sweat will gather on our brows and top lips. The same spring breeze will blow the blooms off the trees. Leaves will appear creating sought after shade. We’ll move a little bit slower. Make more ice. Break for popsicles more often. We’ll seek out water: pools, hoses, puddles, creeks. We’ll forget we ever missed the warmth of the sun on our legs.
The in between can be a tricky place. It’s tempting to wish away the moments we have for the ones to come. We know it’s just the beginning, and so we crane our necks to the finish line. We’ll optimistically leave sweatshirts at home and wish we’d brought them. We’ll start firing up the grill even though it’s too chilly to eat outside. We’ll wear sandals watching our toes grow blue, because it just isn’t time yet.
This spring I’m challenging myself to be still in this transition period, to stay in this spring, and not push through to summer. Maybe you have moments or transitions you’re in the habit of rushing through. But we’re given these transitions for a reason. Let’s enjoy the in between moments and bask in spring while it’s here. The next thing will come soon enough.
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