Spring

Marleigh has always adored flowers.  She loves to smell them, look at them, and touch them.  Daddy and the kids sent me some roses for Valentine's Day.  They were gorgeous!  I honestly think Marleigh loved them even more than her Mama.  She would ask numerous times a day to smell Mommy's pretty flowers. 

A few days later, February 19th, the anniversary of Natalie's passing, we took flowers out to Natalie at the cemetery.  Marleigh was questioning why we would leave such pretty flowers outside.  I explained to her that we were leaving the flowers outside so that her sister could enjoy them.  We left them outside for Natalie. 

Spring has come on in full swing in the last week or so.  We have loved being outdoors. The grass is greening up with the recent rain, and our tree in the backyard is beginning to bloom.  Last night, Marleigh came running to me.  She was overcome with excitement.  She quickly grabbed my hand and drug me to the kitchen window.  "Mommy, look!!!  The tree grew pretty flowers for my sister, Natalie!  I bet she loves them!"  Marleigh was elated.  She jumped up and down and was thrilled for her sister to have such beautiful flowers.  What an incredible heart my little girl has.   
 
I really needed that moment.  I had probably looked at that tree a dozen times and not noticed it was blooming.  I had been caught up in the everyday life.  Getting a little weary of the monotonous, winter days.  I wasn't taking the time to find the pleasure of the little things in our daily life. I always feel a little sluggish in the last couple of months of winter. The joy of Christmas has come and gone. Not only are the days short and cold, but we experienced two enormous losses in those months. In January of 2008, we lost Marc's brother, Matt. Then in February of 2009, Natalie passed away.  Needless to say, I find the winter months a bit challenging. 

We have endured many cold, dreary winters, but there is always the promise of spring.  Renewing and refreshing.  There's bound to be more winters in my future, but I hope that I can weather them gracefully, and remember there is always hope and spring ahead.  Funny how we can so easily relate most life events to our relationship with God.  No matter what we weather in our faith, He is always there to start fresh and renew our spirit.