Spring has finally arrived. It is long overdue. Winter seemed unusually harsh and lengthy this year in central Minnesota.

 

Spring is a sweet season. Lawns are turning a lush green and buds are blooming on the trees. Farmers are finally able to get into the fields and start planting. People are out walking and riding their bicycles. Many people are busy planting trees and removing mulch from their gardens and flower beds.

 

 Last weekend, my husband and I did spring cleaning and put out our patio furniture, grill and fire pit. 

 

Spring is a time of state basketball tournaments (congratulations to the Becker girls basketball players on their stellar season). Spring sports are now in full swing at school and people are finally on the golf course. 

 

Minnesotans thoroughly enjoy the longer hours of daylight. School children are excited to be on the homestretch of the school year with summer vacation within their grasp. 

 

Spring is a time of many fun activities. I was able to attend a Lions fish fry a few weeks ago, which I always enjoy. 

 

Spring is also a time when township cleanup days are held, yet the arrival of spring means so much more than that. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. That seems fitting since last week was Easter Sunday. 

 

Easter is an important holiday to me because of my Christian faith. It literally signifies the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

 

This past weekend, I attended Snake River Free Mission Church worship service and was the pianist for Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. I love music, especially church hymns. I especially love Easter music and find it very edifying. Good Friday is a time of reflection for me, as I think about the price Jesus paid for my sins. 

 

I asked a few people from Becker to share some thoughts about Easter. Wanda Gilyard of Palmer shared these thoughts: "Easter is one of my favorite holidays - a time of rebirth and a celebration of our Lord. Easter is full of blessings!” 

 

Josh Sandbo, Becker, said this: “Easter symbolizes the Resurrection as well as spring. Easter  coincides with spring. We are coming off of winter and into spring and we are thankful for a fresh start to a more uplifting season. It is a time when everything is sprouting up and a time of freshness. Nature is coming alive at that same time - which goes hand in hand with Easter.”

 

This is the 50th Easter I’ve celebrated in Sherburne County. My twin sister and I turn 50 today. I think that makes my older siblings feel equally as old as it makes Terri and I feel! 

 

This was our first Easter without  Mom. 50 people convened at Mom’s farm for Easter. There was massive amounts of food and multiple conversations going on simultaneously and pandemonium, just the way Mom liked it. We definitely missed her, but she was with us in spirit, as she is every day.  

 

I hope you all had a blessed Easter. I am enjoying the season of spring, as plants start coming back to life and birds are singing sweet songs and laying eggs!

 

Spring is an exciting time.