Stop and Smell the Flowers

Pass It On is a new, bi-weekly peek inside the heart and mind of Francis Pass…

Pass It On – March 16, 2020

Listen:

Read:

On March 19^th, I will witness my seventy-second consecutive Spring.

Spring is the rebirth of that which was put to sleep.

The first day of Spring blesses us with almost an equal amount of daylight and dark. It’s called the Spring Equinox.

Some think it’s due to the sun crossing the equator, but it’s actually the earth changing its tilt.

I know this because, as a kid growing up in Dongola, I was fascinated by astronomy.

Speaking of Dongola, I remember a family who owned a grocery store in town. The entire family suffered from allergies. So they closed up shop and moved out to Arizona so that they could find relief in the warm desert air.

Now, I have no issues with Arizona. But I bet the first day of spring way out in the desert can’t hold a candle to the blossoming beauty right here in the heartland.

I love springtime in southern Illinois. Because it reveals to me the beauty of God’s creation.

The flowers, the trees, the shrubs, the grass. I love green grass.

Now, I have fondness for all four seasons. But spring and fall are my favorites. Probably because they prove to be the most colorful of the seasons. True wonderments.

This time of year in Dongola, down there at the end of Front street going south towards Ullin, there’s a hill that’s covered in yellow and white daffodils.

Mr. Russell, the town pharmacist, used to harvest those daffodils and ship them out around the country. And even years after that business ceased to exist, those flowers would pop back up every spring.

I may take a drive later this week to see how many of those buds are still blooming.

And while we’re on the subject of flowers, allow me to say something about Easter lilies.

I absolutely adore Easter lilies.

That’s all. I just wanted to say that.

Can I ask a favor? Will you promise me that you’ll make time to enjoy the beauty of Spring this year?

Will you take a minute or two out of every day to stop and smell the flowers?

Will you pause for just a moment to marvel at the rebirth of God’s creation?

Who knows… you may experience a little bit of rebirth yourself.

Just sayin’.

Thanks for reading…

Francis Pass.

P.S. – I’m told there’s a field of day-lilies somewhere around the Galatia area. Patricia and I have unsuccessfully tried to find it. So, if you know the whereabouts of this majestic field, would you please pass it on?