In Praise of Small Things

I’m drowning in details. My husband’s parents moved to assisted living in January, and we cleaned out and sold their house. My mom moved to assisted living in March, and we’re cleaning out her condo, preparing to sell it.

My desk is deep in papers for other people, my to-do list vast, my energy scattered.

My joy comes in small things ­– the first flowers in my garden, a bird chirping to me, the neighbourhood bunny’s coat changing from pure white to brown. Jewels bloom in my garden, tiny hepatica blazing behind mud-brown leaves. I have moments of joy writing, when the words come together into something new that sings.

These bring me back to myself, ground me in the present moment, remind of the incredible beauty of life, fuel me to get back to my to-do list. And they remind me that when this is done, the world will be waiting for me.

Maureen

Inspiration

I’ve been terrible at writing blogs posts over the last few months. I’ve had a series of colds through the winter, and I tend to focus any creative energy into stories, not blogs. We moved my husband’s parents into assisted living early this year, and my mom is moving, too. We’re drowning in details, and cutting non-essentials.

But some days I feel inspired. Today, it was ice on tree branches that got me going. We’ve had a couple days of fog (not common in dry Calgary), with a little rain, cold enough to freeze overnight. My snowdrops were encased in ice. This morning, the fog was gone, and as the sun rose it lit up branches coated in ice.  They looked decked out for a party.

I love spring. I love the energy, as if the world is coming back to life. I love watching the first tips of green emerge in the garden. I loved how disheveled the garden is, with drifted leaves and needles from the Christmas tree we stuffed into a snow bank and broken branches brought down by the wind.

I love frost on the branches and the sound of rain and the smell, afterwards. I love the anticipation, waiting for the first bloom (early snowdrops, this year). And what will be the second to bloom? Crocuses or hepatica?

The garden is scruffy and brown, but all I see are possibilities and beauty.

Maureen

It’s Spring

It’s officially spring in my garden. Snowdrops are blooming in a bright cluster near the back door.

This is a quirk of climate change, giving Calgary an exceptionally early spring. I thank Vancouver, for sharing their warmth, and offer my condolences to everyone east of here, still deep in snow.

At least this is proof that spring will come.

Maureen