They say it’s hard to do and usually I feel the same, but this year has been different, and suddenly the time has come. Letting go though, that’s the part that causes me the most struggle.

Then again, six days ago I knew the end was near.

And today, the denouement became clearly obvious.

How things can change in only a matter of time i’ll never understand.

My heart grieved for all that has been lost.

But warmed by what I found instead.

And when I stooped over to peer into the shallow depths, I knew I was going to be okay.

The end had come, but new beginnings awaited.

Goodbye Winter. I’m breaking up with you, though honestly, I think you broke up with me this year. You’ll always hold a place in my heart, but this year you didn’t seem to kindle the usual flame.

Hello spring! Thanks for reaching out in the form of Common Polypody Ferns, Mayfly Larvae by the hundreds, and even the Woolly Bear caterpillar. By the bits of debris on her bristly hairs, it was obvious that she’d just emerged from under the leaf litter where she’d overwintered and was frantically crawling along the road in search of a place to form a cocoon and metamorph into the Isabella Tiger Moth she’ll soon become.

I’ll always love you, winter. But right now, I’m already smitten with spring.