Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Springtime in the Rockies

Happy First Day of Spring. With each season's arrival, I say it is "my favorite," knowing that it can't be. I love them all.

I think spring has special meaning for alcoholics. I have thought about this a lot in the last couple of weeks. The winter we just went through was so difficult, it challenged everything and everybody. As I shoveled snow through the winter, I would think of the rose bushes, lilacs, tulips, and crocuses underneath all the snow and ice. There came a time when I thought that all life was slipping away under the burden of a difficult winter. I was physically ailing from a fall, and all that shoveling. I started to believe that nothing could survive.

And yet, the grass is now green, there are buds on my trees and rose bushes. I have never been so surprised by the arrival of spring.

And so it is with us alcoholics. We go through a winter of the soul that seems no one could survive. And yet we do survive and thrive and in the end, we are grateful for the life threatening crises that brought us to our knees.

"Someone once remarked that pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress. How heartily we AAs can agree with him, for we know that the pains of alcoholism had to come before sobriety, and emotional turmoil before serenity." -- As Bill Sees It, p. 3

10 comments:

Scott W said...

"And yet we do survive and thrive and in the end, we are grateful for the life threatening crises that brought us to our knees."

Beautifully put.

lushgurl said...

Amazing and true!

AAARRGGGHHHH...I can't seem to 'cut and paste' that gorgeous garden into MY yard...

I know, patience...mine will be here soon!
Love Ya MC! HUGS.

Rex said...

It has been a wonderful arriving for me this year....I can finally do a few things in the yard without being in pain all day! Happy Spring!

Syd said...

Glad that you are feeling fresh and green today too. The color of spring green is one of my favorites.

Recovery Road London said...

Lol - you called me unselfish and wise on my blog. You crazy, but very sweet and kind person. :-)

"And so it is with us alcoholics. We go through a winter of the soul that seems no one could survive. " -

now that's what I call wise. A pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing it.

Mike said...

MC, I really like what you share.
Mike

Unknown said...

I know what you mean about all the seasons and loving them. I get sick of winter and summer. Love when they come but they last tooo long and spring and fall go tooo quickly.

Luv YA~

Anonymous said...

oh very very good reflection
and a neat picture :)

Shannon said...

LOL lush gurl!

I agree and think you worded that quite perfectly.

Hope you are feeling better physically today

lash505 said...

You did survive that Michigan like weather this year. Spring is like a healing time.