Spring's Promise

      

            As a young child, I always enjoyed the winter months, but as the coming of spring neared, I would become very anxious for any signs of warmth—and spring. I have memories every spring of walking down our back country road in northern Ontario to a small marshland a few minutes from our house. Around the middle of May, I would always be greeted by yellow heads peaking out at me from amongst the soft greens of spring leaves and the murky marsh waters. As I drew closer, the yellow spots could be distinguished as flowers—wild marsh marigolds. These swamps flowers come up every year in late spring and grow best in marshy areas that are somewhat shaded.

            I have been living away from my northern home for a few years, and had completely forgotten about these childhood friends. But this year I was moved back north again, and was experiencing my first spring for quite a few years in this friendly northern wilderness.

            A few days before my dad had commented, “The marsh marigolds should be coming up any day now!”

            Marsh marigolds? I thought. Wow, I have forgotten those flowers even exist! But nevertheless, excitement mounted in my bones; I felt like a young child once again. A few days later, my younger twin sisters, Nicole and Natasha, asked me if I wanted to go with them to pick marsh marigolds.

            “Sure!” I exclaimed. And so off we went. The welcoming smell of spring in all its freshness greeted me as I wound my way down our back country road. Soon I reached those lovely yellow flowers, smiling up at me from amongst the murky waters and soft green leaves.

            A content smile played across my face. Oh to be back in the carefree days of my childhood, when I would happily make my way to these beautiful flowers that gave me a promise—spring was on its way.

            As I relived my childhood memories on this warm May spring day, my younger sisters and I went in among the marshy lands to pick handfuls of these beautiful gifts from the Creator, which would later decorate our kitchen table.

            As I took in God’s great handiwork, I couldn’t resist bending down and catching a few shots of these beautiful flowers—spring’s promise.