The Flowers Today

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

A Prayer in Spring, by Robert Frost

My feelings about this time of year and it's crowning Easter Day run deep. They're not really recordable. But I occasionally have the urge to try.

Last week Wes began his new cancer treatment. Four hours every other week will be an improvement over the previous months of eight hours every week. And he came home feeling pretty good. Only several slurred sentences gave away the fatigue. I love him.

And I love our children. And as we welcomed Spring together with an early Easter celebration last Monday night, as we laughed and romped and ran together (Lucy in her springtime gown and crown), I couldn't help a silent, sincere recitation of Frost's springtime prayer:

"Keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year"

But later that evening, after the chilly March breeze drove us indoors to open each of the eggs we'd collected and to discussed the corresponding segments of the Easter story (bless you Amy & Jeanine for that beautiful idea last year - we LOVED IT), I realized again:

The ultimate harvest is not uncertain.
Because "He is Risen."
And were it not for that reality, there would be little pleasure in today's flowers and there would be no peace in tomorrow's unknown.

But there is pleasure and there is peace. And we are CELEBRATING. Trying to soak up the symbolism of springtime. Trying to teach our children. Because we want them to know.

Tonight's FHE: an Easter walk (haven't read the book, but love the idea)
Still looking for a copy of this.
Thought these illustrations were nicer than many I've seen and that the writing was well done.
Am waiting anxiously for this to arrive in the mail (so glad for my friend Michelle's recommendation a couple of years ago! Spencer and Lucy will both like this one!)
Any other good recommendations?
HAPPY CELEBRATING!!