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Once again, we have the pleasure of witnessing the joyous phenomenon of spring.
The earth seems ready to fairly burst with new life. Just look out across the brown fields and you can almost feel the pressure. A lot of activity is taking place under there, and soon all of nature will explode in glorious color.
After winter's long months of dreary deprivation, none of spring's charms are taken for granted. We revel in the incredible bright green of new grass. The hue is almost too vivid to be believed.
We marvel at each form of life that makes its appearance. A crocus is poking through the earth in an unfamiliar spot. A new, lilting bird melody is heard and identified. Baby calves appear dotting the pasture grass, staying close by their mothers.
The sweet smells of blossoms, the excited cacophony of bird songs, the clumps of rich, dark soil crumbling between our fingers in the garden - all of these fill the senses and restore the soul.
Light plays a major role in this seasonal transformation. The daylight now expands by leaps and bounds, becoming more noticeable with every 24-hour cycle. Both animals and humans adjust their lives to its rhythm.
The scope of our world is broader and less constricting. Horizons have been expanded to see far beyond the previous limitations of our headlights and flashlights.
The relief of receding winter darkness feels almost tangible, like an actual physical burden being lifted. Soaking the sun's warm energy into ourselves, we feel rejuvenated.
All those hours that had been dark can be filled with activity, and they will be. Families typically attack the warm, school-free days with gusto, packing them full of vacations, camping, and ball games.
Bikes and motorcycles appear from their places of storage to compete with vehicles on the roadways - along with a parade of farming equipment. Flocks of bicyclists add their bright neon, flashing bodies to the mix.
Of course to Christians, spring is even more spectacular because its beauty and excitement heralds in the celebration of Easter - the most significant day in the Christian calendar. For many little girls, Easter still means going to church on that special Sunday in a pastel colored dress and a pretty hat with dangling ribbons.
Easter also means big ham dinners, bunnies and colored eggs. Americans are expected to spend over $13 billion on the holiday for food, clothes, candy and greeting cards.
The fact that spring is a routine, every-year occurrence never seems to lessen the eager anticipation or to dim its appeal in the least.
Every year our eyes welcome it with wonder, as though they had never seen anything this beautiful before.