Turn! Turn! Turn!

Spring has always been my favorite of all the seasons. I love the abundance of new growth: lush green hills, budding roses, baby animals being born, and so much more. For new growth does not end with these.

With each change in season, friends gather from near and far to celebrate change. Each comes bearing good food, an open mind, new goals, and a musical instrument.

We come away with full tummies, and filled with new perspective, enthusiasm, and joy.

The journey to this year’s Spring Equinox celebration was a bit longer than usual. Armed with my intention to keep an easy going mindset, I let the day unfold as it would. Meanwhile YaYa continually asked “Are we there yet?”  Breathtaking views, lively music, and great company made for a road trip that was perfect in length — at least for me.

We broke up the drive with a stop at the beach where a single rose magically appeared beside our blanket. Although I had planned to visit with Tom on the 21st, the rose served to point out that this was a perfect time to say our hello — even though we were not there alone. The rose itself was different than the usual white rose. It had two swirls instead of one.

At the water’s edge, YaYa and I put our little messages into the rose (much like a message in a bottle) before I waded out to release it. Afterward, I stood at the shoreline watching it go out, come back, and go out again until it was no where to be seen. Of course, I knew it was out there somewhere — just as I know that Tom is out there looking on as we move on with our lives.

I returned to the blanket and just sat taking it all in. Waves crashed on the shore, seagulls took flight, and kids played in the sand all around us.  Meanwhile, lost in his own world, YaYa gathered rocks and threw them as far as he could — and at the gulls when I wasn’t looking.  We were back on the winding road in no time.

Symbolic of how things have been for me lately, the road kept turn, turn, turning as the journey unfolded at will and in its own time. And by the time we reached the celebration, everyone was ready to welcome YaYa, me, and the notion that to every season there is a time to mourn and a time to embrace.  I am so lucky to be able to do both.