I Woke Up To This.

It’s April 14. Easter is less than a week away.

And I woke up to this today.

3 inches of pristine, white heart-attack snow covering our earth.

The kids are on 2 hour delay. I’m thinking about how I’m going to get the snowblower out of the garage again, since it is buried behind rollerblades, bikes, baseball mitts and other spring/summer related items that were resurrected over the last couple of weeks.

But you know what…by tomorrow this will be gone. It’ll be 50 degrees and spring will finally start springing.

Here in the upper Midwest, we’re more than familiar with the precociousness of spring. We are never fully convinced that spring or summer is here until we get wollopped a couple of times with snow. Our crocuses, daffodils and tulips are hearty little buggers because they’ve been through this before.

Spending life with a funeral director is a lot like living in the upper Midwest. We have periods of time when life is crazy, when we don’t see our director very much and we’re lonely, frustrated and annoyed. But we know our spring is always coming and we know how warm and cozy our life is – in the grand scheme of things.

In November, the sight above is welcome, we want snow for Christmas – just like we welcome a flurry of calls after things have been a little quiet. But after a long winter of calls, visitations and services – one after another – we welcome spring. We want some time of our own. We are ready for things to change…to be easier…with less shoveling (of snow or children or laundry or whatever…we shovel all of it, don’t we?)

I love living in the Midwest and wouldn’t trade a winter of snow for a consistent 70 degrees. The turn of the seasons keeps me moving forward. It helps me to appreciate each change for the promise it brings. I usually love snow – and really don’t mind it that much – but I am also waiting, with great anticipation, for spring to stay for a while. But in November, I’ll be waiting on winter again.

Next time a winter of calls, services, etc starts to get on our nerves, know that spring is coming. But also recognize the fact that we need winter in order to have a spring.