Recently, we had a few snow showers; it was just enough snow to cover my pink camellias, a hearty bunch, impervious to the winter chill. My camellias bloom from November to April, defying the cold temperatures. I believe there are lessons to be learned from these beautiful flowers. We too, must face many a wintry blast in life; we too, must battle the chill of broken dreams and broken promises. We must endure the hardships and keep going.
The snow created a marvelous seasonal palette in my yard. The tree branches were etched with white lace, and the yellow daffodils about to bloom, sank beneath goose down winter weight. The pumpkins that lingered in my garden were pops of orange, glazed with icy glitter. And the birds were everywhere, perched on the porch railing, hovering in the trees closest to the house, and taking turns at the bird feeder, one or two at a time.
It was as if all the seasons had collided on this wintry day: autumn’s leaves, like yesterday’s news, piled up under the snow, the daffodils heralding the arrival of spring and new beginnings, and the breath of summer in the endless clatter of so many birds in bird-song. And through it all, the slumbering winter snow, the quietude of a season in waiting.
We do wait in winter. We serenade our springtime spirits beside the hearth. The firelight warms us, reminds that spring will come again. The days of early darkness and frigid temperatures will pass. We will plant our gardens, and dream new dreams come summer.
And, so it is with our winter-weary hearts. Like the camellias that bloom regardless of the ice and snow, so too, must we bloom, even when the winds are not kind. We must plant seeds of hope when our situation is less than perfect for planting. We must stand firm when the icy blasts of misfortune deal their blows. Perseverance is the key, and something more we learn from nature; change is constant, times of rest, as in winter, necessary.
It seems as if the earth is sleeping in winter. In reality, nature is preparing for the season to come. The bulbs that were planted in the ground are preparing to make their debut, the burst of color that will ignite our springtime days.
However, we must remember that in life, as in nature, sometimes the seasons collide. Things bloom when we least expect. Even in winter, a dream may blossom that we never could have anticipated.
Like the birds who gather on my winter porch, eager to begin a new day, so should we welcome each new morning with joy. Who knows what a new day might hold? Who knows what little surprises we might encounter if we are open to the possibilities?
In the midst of winter, we reflect upon the seasons to come. We ready our hearts with thanksgiving for all the seasons; every season of our lives has something to teach us. Like my pink camellias that bloom in the snow, we too, brace the winter winds, blooming all the seasons of our lives, winter, summer, spring, and fall.
Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven…”
Thanks for the reminder that buried beneath the Winter snow lies hope for new life in the Spring. I wonder what life will reveal itself when this Covid Winter is over? I’d love to send you a picture of our yard – sixteen inches of snow on the ground and more on the way today!
I do not like the cold, but I love the snow. So, when it snows, I make sure to get out there. I went to college in Indiana. We had so much snow! Now, in Virginia, any snow is a big deal! Maybe, in one of your blogs, you can post some snow pictures…I am so ready for the Covid winter to be over!
Preservation in the personal winters of our lives. Terrific examples. Thank you, Linda. God’s grip – Alan
With the grace of God, we do navigate through these winters. With Him, we grow stronger with each passing storm.
I love seeing flowers peeking through the snow. Thanks for sharing your story.
Yes! Nature is awesome! I am ready for spring…:)
Me too!
🙂 🙂 🙂
I love your descriptions and photos of the seasons colliding.
Today we have an overcast day, and all of our snow is gone! We may get a bit more before the season is over. After Christmas, I keep out the snowman decorations in the house…something fun. 🙂 The seasons do collide in the most interesting of ways…
🙂 We had a beautiful snowfall today. It was a joy to watch it outside my window.
You are certainly one to appreciate the beauty outside your window! And there it will distill in your mind and become one of your beautiful poems. I look forward to seeing your magical snowfall…one word at a time. 🙂
What a lovely thing to say! You’ve made my morning, Linda!!
🙂 🙂 🙂
So beautiful! The seasons can overlap to show their wholeness…diversity in unity…one creation, one Creator.
Yes! That is exactly right! We are so blessed…God is so very good.
I had no idea camellias bloomed in the snow! Don’t know if they would like Connecticut’s version of cold, but I’m thinking they would be a wonderful happy sight outside my kitchen window next winter!
They are wonderful, Mary! We have a mild winter compared to Connecticut. Our daffodils are already up in many places…spring is coming!
I like how you compare the nature and real life. We usually get quite lots of snow in Ontario, and at the end of the winter I usually had enough of all the white snow pilling on the ground and I am just waiting for the spring. Though, I do like to be outside when it snowing to observe the snowflakes structure.
There is nothing quite like watching the snow as it falls…so beautiful! But, I have lived places where there was snow on the ground for many months, and there is a longing for spring. Of course, I long for spring wherever I am…the change of seasons is a marvelous thing! There is so much we can learn from nature; the seasons change, and so do we. It offers us a fresh start, a new page to write upon, full of wonder, full of promise.
Such a beautiful essay on the seasons of life and the beauty God is bringing forth in His world and in our lives! Indeed we use the slow winter months to dream of spring and new life. May we rest in the Father’s care and persevere in faith, so that at just the right moment, we are ready to bloom into the fullness of His calling. Whether that is during a snowfall or spring sun! Bless you, LInda!
Wishing you blessings also, Melissa! We do need seasons of rest; without rest, we could never appreciate the incredible blooms that follow. God is the keeper of all things; we trust Him with the seasons, and with our hearts as well.
Those camellias are beautiful, and I love the photos. There’s something special about flowers or greenery touched with snow–the collision of the seasons, as you say. Lovely!
This year, my heart is so ready for spring, anxious to see those signs of greenery. This winter, we have had quite a bit of rain. Today, the sun is trying to peak through, and it is a welcome sign. 🙂
Oh good. It’s amazing how a bit of sunshine raises the spirits!
It certainly does! 🙂
Love these photos, so beautiful! We’ve had non stop snow for the last 3 days and although we don’t have as much as you, I’m really reveling in it because it’s so beautiful!
We really did not get so very much snow, but it was lovely all the same. I am glad you are enjoying your snow!!! Before we know it, winter will be behind us…
This was such a nice thing to read today, Linda. I’ve always looked upon winter-time as a time to quieten and to withdraw. Today, this post reminds me that winter is also a time when much moves under the earth and high, high up in the sky, all hidden for now from our knowing.
You are exactly right…so much is hidden from our sight! We must sometimes be content with waiting, knowing a greater good will come. This is the story of the butterfly; could we ever imagine such beautiful wings from so humble a beginning? I think of that each time I see a butterfly take flight, so much grace, as if it were effortless. It is as if it had always been so beautiful, so perfect, so enchanting. (These are lessons our hearts must learn; this is how we trust our own wings, with God’s grace to guide us.)
This reflection is so beautiful, and it touched me deeply. Thank you, Linda, for your inspired and creative expression through photography and writing!!
Thank you Elisa! Nature does inspire us; so much beauty to behold, every season of the year. Even on the darkest days of winter, there is magic to be found if we are looking…a frozen pond, a slate of icy wonder.
Your words and photos vividly describe your garden sharing great wisdom on how to improve ours! Love this …
My favorite gardens are cottage gardens. In a garden, not everything has to be perfect. It is the same with life; it is not always perfect, but it is very beautiful. Gardens remind us of the sacred passage of life’s journey; best to enjoy the roses that bloom, buds, and those that are nearly spent. There are thorns that will make us cry, but those velvet petals are breathtaking.
such a wise poetic response Linda .. another post within itself 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
I love that verse, because it does remind me to simply enjoy the Winter and stop wishing for it to end. I may not like cold temps, but I can certainly find peace on a beautiful winter’s day, especially when I’m sitting inside in my warm living room, looking out at the beautiful snow! If your flowers can endure, so can I!
It is wonderful to find peace on a winter’s day; the quietude of the season prepares us for busy times ahead. I often reflect on this verse of scripture when I grow impatient with myself, or something happening in my life over which I have no control. I remind myself that God is in charge of the seasons. I may not understand the timing, but I trust in His wisdom.