Past Midnight and still the light of dusk. No flashlights needed in June in Alaska. Light, light, and more light. Enough to fill every pore and more. Light for hearts shriveled by life's colder days, light for the dark corners of the mind that feel unworthy of revelation, light to ease the Winter Blues.
Alaska, the land of extremes, the manic state with mountains rising up from the sea and seasons that stand in opposition, ying and yang, vivid color verse black and white, temperatures that fluctuate over 100 degrees.
Looking out at my yard, at all the various shades of green, as my resilient perennials rise once again, like viridian phoenixes refusing to bow to snow and ice, its hard not to feel hopeful. So many flowers on the edge of awakening: Iris, Wild Geranium, Golden Globe, Columbine, Rose, Lillies, Peonies, Bleeding Heart, no longer hibernating underground.
Wasn't the whole world just white and gray?
I often repeat the line, this too shall pass, to my students who come to my office desperate over friendships turned cold. I say it to myself when I struggle to stay sane amidst meltdowns, conflict, and schedules that leave little space for me to just sit and write.
This too shall pass.
Words to cling to when the world spins too fast.
Now it is summer, and the days last longer.
No school. No work.
Just time.
Time to dig in the dirt and watch the flowers grow.
Our front Lilac tree burst forth with shades of lavender this week, our first purple Iris opened, the Forget Me Nots returned, and I feel so thankful that they just keep coming back, like old friends, no fuss required, familiar and at ease.
The days will keep stretching till Summer Solstice, when they begin their inevitable retreat back in time. I love this time of year, the beginning of June, with all of summer's promise ahead.
Seize the day is another line I often say to my students in its various forms. Stay present. Live in the moment. Words easier to repeat than to practice.
I can chant Carpe Diem for days, but the Daffodils in my backyard stand upright, pedals proud, strong, for now, whether I remember to notice them or not.
Beautifully said as usual. Dig in and get those fingernails dirty!!
Posted by: Mom and Dad | 06/04/2015 at 11:45 AM
Oh they are dirty Mom:)
Posted by: Christy | 06/08/2015 at 08:53 AM