Double Nickel and a Tree

It's the first day of spring, officially. It's also my birthday, the double nickel year -- 55. A few months ago I wasn't so sure I'd even see this day, but here it is, and here I am, grateful and humbled by the grace and science that has put me here and kept me here. I am grateful as well for all the good wishes, wonderful food, and lovely gifts that have come my way in honor of this day.

It's certainly been an eventful day, full of light and shadows. We had an active shooter drill on campus this morning, so that was no fun at all, and a grim reminder of what I have come to think of as the Great American Sickness, worse, even, than cancer. But, after the drill, I made my way to a fabulous story slam arranged by two of our amazing speech teachers. The students who participated told wonderful stories of strength, sorrow, redemption, hilarity, and determination. I came away inspired and affirmed once again in knowing the healing power of storytelling, perhaps our greatest natural resource.

This afternoon, my husband John and I planted a weeping cherry tree in the backyard. I'd ruminated about my upcoming birthday in an earlier post, and one of my friends suggested that I plant a tree in honor of the season, which I thought was a great idea. I chose a weeping cherry simply because I've always loved them. We found a small one at a local nursery this past weekend; it had mostly already bloomed, but there were still enough blossoms left on the branches to enjoy, and I think of them as harbingers of springs to come. As we put the tree in the ground and filled in the hole, I asked for yet more grace. I hope I'll get to see that tree bloom for many more springs. As I write, the temperature has dropped, and today's misty rain has turned into a light snow. Spring indeed.