spring blossoms
I was startled to find that it is spring in dear Colorado.
After an overly dry and mild winter here, it seemed like the flowers and the trees shouldn’t yet be able to bloom. Surely we needed at least one good blizzard before we might declare it spring?
Then, quite unexpectedly, I looked out my kitchen window while brewing some coffee one morning, and saw our sweet, little front-yard tree had positively burst.
In a light breeze, the blossoms danced back and forth on the branches, swaying to a tune only they and the wind could hear. It was glorious. Riotous and unrestrained.
The recent, very warm weather has spoiled us, and spoiled these little floral gems. I walked around today in sandals and short sleeves, breathing in the 70-degree warmth with utter delight. It made me feel like dancing about with a bit of riotous flair myself.
Spring and fall, these are my two favorite seasons; the in-between seasons. They never seem at all long enough. Not once, in nearly 30 years, have I felt myself wishing, “If only spring would end already!”
There’s some kind of magic in the in-between. I’ve often thought so when it comes to photographing events, particularly weddings. Mostly we think of the big moments — when the bride and groom see each other for the first time, the first kiss, a toss of the bouquet — but the photographs I rather love are the quiet, small ones. A slight adjustment of a piece of curled hair, a father squeezing his daughter’s hand before they walk down the aisle, a groom catching his bride’s eye as they laugh during dinner.
And I stand by the same conviction when it comes to every day life, whether photographed or not. It’s not just the proposal, the promotion, the two-week vacation in Europe, the monumental occurrences. It’s the peaceful mornings in bed, as you wake up to a new day; the steam rising from your coffee after that first, delicious sip; pale little buds greeting you from the kitchen window, putting on a simple show in the afternoon breeze.
Oh spring, you are so welcome, and yes, much too brief. And whether I like it or not, you will once again come to an end so that we might move forward. Or in this case, move backward. Because you see, it seems my native Coloradan instincts might not have been far off. Tomorrow, there is a blizzard watch in place for a large chunk of this fair state, and almost definite snowfall in store for all of us.
My dear, beautiful little blossoms, we hardly knew ya’.
SIGNED, anya elise
