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From riding in a convertible to the smell of clothes on the line, readers love spring

Date published: 4/17/2008

FROM THE special scents spring awakens to the joy of simple walks in the warm sun, readers are glad to count their blessings with the arrival of the season.

Asked what they most look forward to about spring, they gave myriad reasons, some of which I share today.

Pat Weinhardt of Spotsylvania County said that growing up in southern West Virginia gives spring a special meaning.

Back then, winter was long, dark, wet, bone-chillingly cold, with mud, ice and depressing days.

"The dark and chill and sadness worked its way into our bones and our hearts," she said.

But "then, one morning, we noticed a little bud peeping out of the ground, and hope was born again." That was followed by the smallest "tickle" of excitement of looking at the mountains and seeing the slight hint of green.

"On those days when we could not see anything ahead but depression, we noticed that God had taken a big can of yellow paint and splashed it on all the forsythia bushes," she said. "Some drops spilled on the ground and became daffodils.

"Everywhere we looked, there was new life, new hope, new promise."

Weinhardt got confirmation that spring truly meant new life when her daughter was born on the first day of spring.

Dale Washington of Ruther Glen in Caroline County loves to remember the days when her mother took advantage of warm days with a breeze to hang out the laundry.

It "smelled so fresh, and I can remember trying to run through the sheets as they swayed in the breeze."

"Spring means opening our hearts and clearing our minds and being open to all the things that God has in store for us," she said. "Never mind the fact that I'm allergic to almost everything in the great outdoors. There is still much to enjoy."

Tom Rankins of Spotsylvania said he looks forward to riding around in a recently purchased convertible.

Date published: 4/17/2008

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