"March in Michigan"
By Sheila Thornton Warfield
Oh, March in Michigan
Beautiful
Frigid
And always hopeful.
The bare trees with their erratic, stark branches
Stretch in all directions
Perennially reaching for something more
And always upward
The snow covered fields, hardened, glitter from ice’s radiance
And we are reminded of winter’s waning touch
Within its grasp is the promise of spring
And this thaws the snow, in our minds, and
Warms the heart
March in Michigan
Compels us to hope
And we gleefully embrace the truth
That spring is near
March in Michigan can be so beautiful, especially on sunny days, which are oftentimes rare during the long winter months. And, when there’s a sunny day, we take a deep breath and appreciate every nanosecond of the sunshine. When you see the sunbursts reflected on snow covered fields or see the rich shadows of nearby trees, you’re reminded to be grateful for the beauty in all things, everywhere.
Even the stark, bare tree branches are divine, offering multitudes of the color brown which create a mosaic that’s simple and ever so beautiful. And, there’s the ice-capped snow that’s crunchy and hard and so often inconvenient. Yet, magical as it glimmers and reflects amazing light. To be thankful for whatever you have, wherever you are is the lesson here, and it brings such satisfaction and wonderment. If you allow yourself to experience such deep appreciation, you will venture into that eluding yet peaceful state called the present moment. It’s where real magic happens, the present moment. And, for me, it’s one of the spiritual benefits of my choice to live here.
Living in Michigan accentuates the promise of spring and a much welcomed new beginning. We are reminded that change is our constant companion. So, wherever you are, let the promise of spring fill you with hope and discovery. Embrace the idea that the patience and resolve we’ve all had to show--during the most difficult months of old man winter’s visit--will be rewarded with easier days and pathways. Let’s welcome the newness that comes with spring and the chance of being and doing better this time around.