Even in this miserable recession,
it occurs to me that year after year we
can count on the beauty that is
the arrival of spring. I marvel at
the miracles we are about to witness
all around us. It is amazing
that a small speck, no larger than
a pin head when planted, will
blossom into a plant or a tree and
bring forth a wealth of blooms.

On a crisp, cold spring morning
is there anything more beautiful
than standing ankle deep in
daffodils surrounded overhead
by beautiful apple blossoms?

We have had a hard winter. But
no matter how hard the weather,
spring blossom and foliage will
arrive and we can look forward
to the beauty of the cherry blossoms
against a blue sky, the
beauty of the bluebells in the
great gardening month that is
May, the stately tulips and the
wallflowers.

From now on, every day in the
garden will be a time of expectation
of beauty, the evenings
will lengthen and the birds will
sing again. It is amazing how the
growth of plants maintains the
regular rhythm of the seasons.

Moment by moment, I welcome
the coming change– from
the present dark, cold days to
the warmer and brighter days.
Our feathered friends, glad to
see the end of the frozen ground,
will soon serenade us with their
songs and entertain us with their
activities.

We are surrounded by parks
and open spaces– all are places
to enjoy fresh air, wildlife and
the beauty of flowers. Old Autumn,
in her ancient tradition
ensured that we enjoyed falling
leaves, the amber sky, the holly,
rowan and rose, the chestnuts
and hazelnuts. We enjoyed the
silver bark of the birch tree, the
reddish hue of the willow cherry–
looking back it was a season
of beautiful, golden colour.

We move through the dark
days of winter and nature waves
her magic wand and the seasons
change. Letʼs work with nature
and accept her invitation to experience
and enjoy all that is
around us.

It is lovely to see the earth
awakening around us. For me,
I am grateful that all my life I
have worked in the open air and
no more so than in springtime.
I have watched the gold leaves
appear on the oak hedges, the
daffodils dancing in the wind
and each day I notice more and
more leaves appearing on the
bare trees.

Soon, I will welcome the arrival
of the swallows and the
magnificent cherry blossoms. As
spring advances, the winds grow
busy with new duties. They carry
with them a precious burden
of pollen from tree to tree. Many
inhabitants of the plant world
depend on wind to transport this
pollen.

Indeed, for me, the end of one
season is but the anticipation of
another; a cycle of growth and
rebirth. Working with nature is
good for you. It has a positive
impact on your well-being. Gardening
is good for you– it helps
reduce stress levels and has a
great effect on mental and emotional
health. And, of course, all
that physical activity is of great
benefit to those of us trying to
improve our fitness or shed those
Christmas pounds!

We live in a changing worldthe
economy is changing, people
ʼs lifestyles are changing,
social life is changing; so during
these troubled times of recession,
rediscover nature. Enjoy
your own garden and the open
spaces around you, take pride in
your own area and celebrate the
beauty of nature.

Nature is a gift– unwrap it and
enjoy it. The full glory of spring
is with us and all over shines the
splendour of the new seasonʼs
sun.

Light again. Leaf again. Life
again!