A taste of what is to come

As I stepped outside this morning, I saw a glimpse of spring. The sun is shining so bright and beautiful, slowly melting the frozen earth beneath and allowing the spring blooms to jut through. I am reminded that winter's hold does not last forever and that soon its icy grip on the landscape will loosen to give way to green grasses and vibrant blooms. Children will soon be playing in my yard, asking when I will take out the trampoline from the garage so that they can begin practicing their flips and spins. My boxer, Roxy, will no longer prefer to be curled up at my legs, but outside on the deck lapping up the sun through her black coat, watching the birds dive through the yard. Winters' silence will be broken by the sweet sounds of barking dogs, chirping birds and laughing children. I will once again be able to take my steaming bowl of morning coffee outside on the deck and savor each sip in the sunshine.