Just Waiting for Spring!

In his book OH the Places You"ll Go, Dr. Suess' whimsical thesis on life, he describes the uselessness of a life spent in anticipation rather than living:

" Waiting for the fish too bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting,perhaps, for their Uncle Jack
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting."


These weeks spent between winter's end and true spring are the most difficult for me. We just finished a week of very spring like weather here in Philadelphia, and yet I know the capriciousness of March. Fine today, horrible tomorrow. However, my wait is not mindless nor is it useless. I attend to each sign of spring with relish. Last weekend's garden clean up revealed sprouting tulips. Early yesterday morning, I spotted my first Robin Redbreast in my neighbor's yard. I wonder if she is the same one who built a nest in my Kousa dogwood tree last year. If it is her, surely while surviving this past year she acquired the sense to know that my tree is too little and flimsy to be a safe place for her eggs. Yes, I am waiting but the waiting is good!

Waiting for spring to arrive, or
just waiting to see what has survived
or waiting for winter to be spent
or waiting for the lilac's scent
or waiting for the leaves to pop
or just waiting for the rain to stop
or for the sun to shine,
or the smell of basil, lavender and thyme
I am just waiting.