Friday 20 March 2009

Spring sunshine

We are having a week of wonderful Spring sunshine that has transformed our drab winter landscape and each day as I watch this continual transformation it lifts
my spirits and I rejoice in the creator God who never fails to bring this about. Each day, at the beginning of Spring there are new blooms to add to the delights of the season.

The bright yellow forsythia is now in its full glory and the lilac buds are now almost at bursting point. There are more yellow daffodils than we had last year and yesterday was the first day when the carpet of grape hyacinths suddenly painted the ground blue! In between these are the yellow primroses and multi-coloured primulas and many of the tulips have fat buds just waiting to come into flower.

Elsewhere, the wallflowers show just a tiny hint of the yellow and bronze colours to become beautiful blooms quite soon and the fresh, almost red new
leaves of the rose bushes spell out a message of hope and promise of wonderful roses to come later. Down the road and up in Caversham Heights, the cherry trees are in full blossom - always a glorious sight after the dark days of winter! It's too early for my apple blossom yet, but the buds are formed and the sunshine will encourage their growth.

On my kitchen window sill the tomato plants have germinated well and up in the (cold) greenhouse there are some very healthy early pea seedlings that are causing great delight because for the last two or three years we have not managed to grow any peas at all, and I DO like peas, especially straight from the pod! I lost my first sowing of broad beans this year because of the very severe frost catching them in the unheated greenhouse. Only one stalwart seedling survives! But a second sowing of broad beans has just begun to sprout and so have the French beans. Perhaps I'll raise next year's broad beans on my kitchen windowsill, because I proved last year that if you get them established in the ground as early as possible you can be clear of blackfly. I may have to deal with that this year, I'm afraid.

So when I set off yesterday for a routine visit to the podiatrist, my heart was full of joy and, without having to wear a big coat, I greeted everyone I met with, 'Isn't it a wonderful morning?' Usually, it made the other person's face light up and evoked a similar response, but in the outgoing bus, an older lady sat heavily down beside me and said with feeling, 'I wish I was in my grave.' 'Surely not', I replied and after a little while in similar vein, I tentatively asked if I dare ask how old she was. As if it were a great burden, she groaned, '80'. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it! I replied that she was only a baby, because I am in my 88th year and I'm enjoying life. The other passengers were enjoying this but, of course I don't know (and she wasn't inclined to tell me) what illnesses or troubles she might be burdened with. I only wanted her to be able to share my joy at God's wonderful sunshine and all His creation.

On my way back home on the bus, a frail elderly man - no, I didn't ask HIS age! - got on at the Library and came to sit next to me. For the final time, I said my piece, 'Isn't it a wonderful morning?', and his reply was, 'Huh! Spring's come much too early!' It was then time for me to get off the bus and I had no chance to cheer him up. So, today, on yet another such wonderful morning, I feel I must offer a prayer for all those who, for one reason or another, illness or depression or the effects of old age, are unable to rejoice in this wonderful gift of Spring sunshine with all the wealth of beauty that it brings. Thank you, Creator God and Father.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

What a lovely description! We are pretty bare here..but it is coming and I can't wait! God Bless

Amy said...

I would have loved to be one of the observers while you were conversing with the people on the bus! :-) Your reflections about springtime and the joy it brings are beautiful! Thank you! (Could we meet sometime soon for lunch or coffee? I don't want time to slip by without our meeting outside of the blogosphere.)

Olive Morgan said...

Thanks, Beth. When Spring does come, it seems to burst into life and colour so suddenly. I thought this first with the crocuses,which are over now, and then the grape hyacinths. So you'll be getting that lovely feeling of joyful surprise soon.

I'd love to meet you, Amy, if we can arrange it before you return to the States - in not many weeks time, I think. My diary is pretty full but Tuesday and Thursdays are more likely to be my free days. Where do you suggest we meet? Perhaps it would be best for me to ring you so that we can talk. I met Tim at Circuit Meeting, when he shocked me by saying he recognised me from the photo on my blog! That's the first time that that has happened!

Rev Tony B said...

I grew up on a northern council estate, where our garden grew chip wrappers and beer cans. The first spring I really noticed was the one after we were married: it had been a long hard winter, but I noticed the sequence of flowers in gardens as they began to appear - snowdrops, crocusses, daffs, grape hyacinths, etc. Spring came at Easter, and suddenly everything was warm and fresh and alive. I even enjoyed the blossom in the trees when I was going into uni for my finals.

The last week has been such a blessing - out without coat and hat for the first time in months. Probably means it'll snow again next week, but never mind - that foretaste could be the promise of what's to come. (Sounds like a sermon... ;) )

Olive Morgan said...

Two thoughts crossed my mind too - I do hope we're not going to have snow for Easter (and the week after when I'll be up in Llandudno at the ECG event); and Oh dear, if it's as warm as this now I do hope we're not going to have a searing hot summer that saps all my energy! But they were very fleeting thoughts and, like you, I enjoyed every minute of the glorious sunshine.

Molly said...

This is a beautiful time of the year. The forsythia is just starting to bud here. I loved the bit where you spoke to those two people on the bus. What a shame they couldn't see what you do. It reminded me of a half forgotten verse:- Two men looked through prison bars - One saw mud and one saw stars. I am having trouble posting my comments so if this gets through - Have a lovely Easter

Olive Morgan said...

Thank you, Molly. It is a beautiful time of year and Easter makes it extra special. I've just been reading that 'often the Church makes the Crucifixion tragedy and the resurrection triumph. Blood and death on Friday, open tomb and life on Sunday. But John's message is glory in the whole event, especially the Cross.' I had not thought of it like that before. A Happy Easter to you too - all of you.

Amy said...

Thank you for ringing! I am very sorry that I missed your call. Let's try again. I will look forward to it!

acereta said...

Beautiful colours! I am an orthodox christian from Moscow (have a master degree in theology), and translator from Italian an English. I am following your blog. My blog is mostly about my crafts - hobbies. I write about other topics in my Lifejournal, but only in Russian at the moment (blogging takes a lot of time)/ Hope to read your blog once in a while.
Irina (Moscow, Russia)

Olive Morgan said...

Welcome Irina,I'm so glad that you like my blog well enough to read it once in a while. I am proud to have you as a follower. I won't be able to visit yuor blog if it's only in Russian, but I can think of you often and we can exchange thoughts on my blog. As you say, blogging takes a lot of time, but it is good in the way that it brings people together.

acereta said...

Thanks for answering. Actually, my blog here in Google is in English and Russian, but it's dedicated mainly to crafts. I am not ready to open one in English, dedicated to religion, reading etc... just because it will require a lot of time, and I have too much work to do, and then I'll need to open a blog in italian etc.... Anyway I'll try to read yours and comment, and hope it will create some dialog...

acereta said...

Actually, ony now I read the whole post, I firt looked through, payong more attantion to the beautiful yellow pictures, then to the text. It's really great taht you have such a great spirit, joy and thenkfullnes... I spent the whole day today complaining (small job problems) and didn;t go to church, being too tired and not feeling well after flu... but you words really chear up,not only your pictures! Thanks a lot! We had some spring days here in Msocow, but the weekend was cold and it snowed again, even if today it was sunny.

Olive Morgan said...

Bless you Irina, for those encouraging words. I kno wwhat you mean about time! I was working late to do my homework for the Disciple course of study that we discuss on Monday nights and I was just going to shut my computer downbefore going to bed, when i found your extra two messages - which encouraged me! ow isn't that good! Lovely to meet you!

Sally said...

What a beautiful uplifting post Olive. I love the photos!