The Thaw

We have had snow here in Northern Michigan since the second half of November. That’s six months of white. Although I have loved this epic winter, I was a little giddy to see touches of blue return to the landscape this past weekend at Sleeping Bear.

What’s that old adage? You don’t realize what you have until it’s hibernating under a giant, impenetrable layer of ice for three months? It seems I had taken this “great” lake for granted. The sound of waves replacing my inner thoughts as I walk along the Lake Michigan shore. The ability to reach down and pick up a smooth rock to rub between my fingers as I take it all in. The way the setting sun’s light reflects clear across the surface of the water right to my toes.

From time to time, it turns out I need those rejuvenating rays to reassuringly reach across the lake and warm me up, literally and figuratively. Welcome, spring.