Almost every year of my life I witness the crazy renewal of life following months of barrenness that was forced upon nature by brutally cold temperatures, winds, ice, and storms. Then, later, with everything in full bloom, I completely forget how unlikely this verdant growth appeared just a short time before.

Afterwards, when my life is marred by darkness, pain, or death, I despair and swear all is lost, disregarding my past history of survival and growth–and nature’s miraculous cycle that I so recently witnessed.