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Dawn's Notes
“Getting Ready for Springtime” I grew up in Tennessee in a rambling thirteen room house on a farm. We had a fireplace and a wood stove for heat. If you are older, you may remember “toasting” your front side, them turning to “toast” your other side in front of a fireplace or wood stove in the winter. My sisters and I slept in long flannel nightgowns to try to stay warm in the winter—there was no heat in the bedroom I shared with my oldest sister Joy. My sister and I would do the “toasting” ritual in front of the fireplace in my parents’ bedroom just before going to bed. Then we would then run down the hall and jump into a plumped up, fluffed up feather bed, and sink down into the cushiness. The bed felt cold through our nightgowns, and we would curl up and shiver until the feather bed warmed up around us. After the extreme cold of winter passed, spring rains began, and warm breezes began to blow. For me springtime brought feelings of hope and expectancy of good things to come! The winters in Tennessee were cold, so I was always eager for spring to arrive. I longed to kick off my shoes and go barefoot again after a long winter. I still remember the feel of the cool grass on my bare feet for the first time in the spring. The persimmon tree close to our well showed off tiny, white delicate blossoms. Irises bloomed alongside the driveway. There were trees to climb, and soon the air would be warm enough for swimming in the creek. In the spring, we opened windows in our house to allow the air to blow through, refreshing our house that had been closed up all winter. I remember my daddy gathering the family around our big dinner table in the kitchen where we each “ate” a spoonful of molasses with a gritty substance in it—something to help cleanse our blood, Daddy said. We spring cleaned our bodies as well as our house! But in the springtime, there was extra work to be done—curtains and windows to wash and floors to wax. Washing the windows of the French doors between the dining room and hallway were part of spring cleaning, and I remember it being hard to get all the “smears” out of the corners of the many panes. One of my springtime chores as a child was to pull the grass and weeds out of our irises—a chore which seemed to go on forever. Our garden plot was plowed, and soon we would pick wild poke greens. Later we would brave the rattlesnakes and briars to pick wild blackberries for jelly and blackberry pies. Springtime was a time of hard work which included cleaning the house inside, preparing garden plots and flower beds outside. But spring was also an exciting time, a time of hope—a hope for warmer days, a time to romp and play, and vegetables and berries to pick. Spring follows winter—we can count on it—nature’s cycle of life. Life brings hard times and fun times. Death follows life, but I believe there is life after death—for the one who died and the one who is left behind. After a death, it may be difficult to feel the warmth and hope of spring, to believe that life can be good again. Healing after a loss may take some extra hard work, just like spring cleaning! But the cold weather does pass, and spring does come, bringing warmth and beauty. Perhaps this spring would be a good time to pay special attention to your physical health—a time to eat nutritious food and develop an exercise program, a spring cleaning for your body. Maybe even consider cleaning out some “clutter” from your house—you would probably feel better. Perhaps it is time to plant a flower garden, maybe giving consideration to perennials that will bloom again next year. Or maybe try a small vegetable garden or plant a tree in memory of the one you love. Yes, it will be hard work, but it will be rewarding! Consider giving yourself an emotional boost by doing something you enjoy. Maybe this spring would be a good time to sit in the sun, enjoy the warm breeze, and reflect on how you might use your talents to make a difference for someone else. You have been given a wonderful gift—you are alive—and it is time to get ready for spring! Call about the next "Living Life after Loss" Group at: Dawn Phelps, RN/LMSW, Group Facilitator |
