February is a month of reflection, with an eye to the future and the "time of silver rain when the earth puts on new life again" to paraphrase Langston Hughes. This past few days have been a time of snow storms, hoar frosts, and thunder storms of rain and thunder snow as well.
I remember when the arborvitaes stood as straight as sentinels and the frosted branches of magnolias were clothed in blooms as big as dessert plates...
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I remember when the rockery was a gentle tapestry of primula, epimedium, and more... now awaiting the warmth of April to throw off its cloak of insulating snow...
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I remember when the arbor hung heavy with fresh young petunias and the warm white of clematis replaced the cold white of snow, and delphiniums grew to chest height amongst a palette of fresh green...
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I remember when the tracery of twigs and branches on the old tree lilac sported a heady bouffant of antique white wafting on the breeze as the sun set in the west...
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I remember a time when the scent of daffodils pervaded the air where now a snowy cocoon encompasses all who pass this way...
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As I gaze upon small red fruits preserved in a hoar frost of crushed ice, I remember when the flowering crabs were aglow in a different white and the red fruits of this day were but red buds foretelling a time of cold these many months later...
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As I think about all these memories of Oak Lawn in seasons of warmth, I am reminded that it is important to live in the moment... there are sure to be times that are too cold or too wet... too hot or too dry. I need to discipline myself to appreciate where I am at this very moment; indeed to be thankful for this very moment. So many live in the diluted memories of the past and others in the fantasy of the future... while thankfulness for what has been and hope for the what will be are important, appreciation of now is equally of great value... one day at a time is often the very best state of living a full and joyful life.
More in this 'February in Wisconsin' series next time...
Take care, Larry
p.s. ...don't forget to look up, you'll often find that to be the source of some of life's greatest blessings...
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