Let's celebrate

During this season we can experience many reasons to celebrate. First in our mind is Easter, which can bring much joy. Some sports enthusiasts can celebrate their team winning a special game, or even the championship. Soon some students will be experiencing graduation from some phase of their schooling. The season also is often chosen for marriages, and thus many anniversaries will be observed in the coming weeks. These events are often accompanied by parties, banquets, special gifts and even speeches and honors bestowed.

I have found many other reasons to celebrate in this season. My celebrations don't involve preparation, audiences of many people, gift giving or even public awareness of the event. My celebrations are often observed all by myself.

I celebrate the new bloom on each daffodil that has survived the recent snows. When the weather and my energy permits I will actually go outside to tell each bloom how happy I am that it is here. I can't experience each bud on the maple trees as personally as the daffodil blooms, but even as I sweep some scattered buds from the sidewalk I give thanks to the tree that promises to bring forth leaves to shade me in a few more weeks.

New calves that survive their birth without stress on themselves, their mothers or their human caretakers are reason to rejoice. Along that line seeing someone else's new kittens or puppies is a happy experience. But for myself now, seeing our two elderly outside cats greeting us when we drive up to the house brings a quiet joy. I like to think they are glad to see us, but I know that they actually are eager for their daily fresh food supply. However they will respond with purrs and ankle rubs as we are preparing the food.

Human babies, again those of younger people, make every season a time to rejoice. Recently our special little one learned to turn over by herself. That brought several joyous phone calls. We weren't worried that she couldn't, but it was so much fun to see it accomplished. Of course that is a preview of many, many other physical accomplishments to come. Each of those may not be noticed as much as this one, but each is a reason to celebrate.

My daily amusement watching the activities at the bird feeders becomes even more fun as the sounds of the seasonal bird calls add to the excitement.

This year I celebrate each new rain that falls bringing our Bronze Pond back up to its usual levels and bringing green grass, a prosperous wheat season and water in the stock ponds. I get upset when weather people bemoan that it will rain tomorrow. After all the dry days we experienced this year it can rain on my parade any day.

In these middle age plus years one of my daily celebrations is when my body conforms to the needed schedule of events and things work the way they are supposed to work. Along that line I also celebrate when things in the house work the way they are supposed to work and I have not forgotten to purchase any needed supplies to carry out the usual routines of housework.

Adding all of these happy events together, I find that this celebratory season is one I intend to enjoy daily. Because the biggest celebration of all is that I am still here to experience the joys waiting for me.