Happy Spring




	Spring has definitely sprung here in the mountains of my home. As I walked in my yard this morning I heard a hundred different birds greeting the sunrise with a chorus of delight. Later as I sat on my porch swing I saw my first butterfly of the year circling down in the wind until it touched my hand and passed on its loving greeting.
	Then as I walked with my sons around the local lake this evening we saw dozens of yellow and purple flowers sticking their heads through the ground to soak up the warm sunshine. These were complimented by the red, green, pink, and white of the trees eagerly bursting in growth. A cool and gentle breeze kissed our faces, filled the air with sweet smells, and brought music to our ears as we heard hundreds of frogs singing together in a joyful jubilee.

	Spring is such a glorious time. It is a time of rebirth, new beginnings, and fresh starts. It is a time of growth, a time of beauty, and most of all a time of life. Being out there among it helped to stir the life and joy within me as well. It awakened my spirit, warmed my heart, enlightened my mind, energized my body, and uplifted my soul. It made me aware of just how precious each day is and just how priceless each moment of our lives can be. It showed me again that life is for living and for loving not just for existing.
	I hope that the spring of this year adds a spring to your own step as well. I hope that the new life bursting forth in nature awakens you to the endless life in your own soul. I hope that all the new growth and new beginnings around you help you to choose new growth in love and new beginnings in joy in your own life. I hope that all this wondrous glory of creation reminds you of the loving hand of God that created it. Have a happy Spring.
	Joseph J. Mazzella