The Rural Voice, 1979-04, Page 11Melissa Logt' n )erg of R.R.1, Dungannon
and a very special riend - one of Fran and
Tony McCue 'I s young goats, which the
couple raise a. breeding stock.
Spring is a time of
new beginnings
BY CHRISTIE O'BRIEN
Spring is sprung,
The grass is 'ris,
I wonder
How would you finish? What are you wondering about?
Spring is a time of new beginnings, of shaking off the bonds of
boots, snow shovels and always saying "if the weather is alright.
" Freedom! Hurray!
The note of joyful release is the note of Easter. The Christian
Church celebrates Christ's release from the bons of death. The
ancient celebrations of the earth coming back to life are all mixed
up with today's celebration - empty egg shells rather than empty
tombs are what we see. But the idea of New Life is still strong.
New Life - I wonder. Nature has its own patterns which we can
only co-operate with. He who tries to trick Mother Nature gets
into trouble. If we plant corn we do not get wheat. If we let weeds
grow they won't sell and the loss is ours. Nature does not say
"this is good. .. this is bad", it says all living things will grow if
given proper conditions. We decide that we want beans not
burdocks, corn not quack grass.
The miracle of an awakening world should make us pause.
When we look at the mess of dried leaves, dead grass, souvenirs
of dog visits - the mucky brown of an early spring lawn - how can
we believe that healthy green grass is getting ready to poke its
head up to see what we are doing?
We believe when we see it happening. Only then do we know
that the winter has not destroyed, nature's way has not changed!
I wonder how we could get through the winter without the
memory of the green grass, the budding trees, the promise of
crops. In winter we seem to tuck up within ourselves to survive in
this snow belt. In spring we move free -- what joy! ----and also
what work!
Seed -time and harvest, gardens to be tilled, planted, tilled,
weeded, watered and watched - and finally to be enjoyed. Busy,
busy hours of hard work in the strong summer sun. Reward.
The black sheep of the family.
THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1979 PG. 9