This is a picture of what greeted us when Hubby and I returned from Ohio last Monday evening. They were just buds when we left. After below freezing temperatures most of the week, this bit of ‘evening sunshine’ was a welcome sight.

I truly meant to open my writer’s window on Tuesday, but instead plunged right in attending a weeklong women’s publishing summit. (I’m still working on writing projects!) I still haven’t completely unpacked my suitcase. And of course, Ash Wednesday was tucked into last week. All to say, I’m sorry I didn’t open my window as planned and I’m glad to be back.

This is this year’s Lenten prayer space with my six candles for the six weeks of Lent, a crucifix, and my Happy Buddha. You may also be able to see poinsettias in the background. At first glance that may seem a bit odd having traditional Christmas flowers as part of a Lenten focused space, but it’s a visual reminder the two seasons are connected.

When I was younger, I was always a bit bummed during the Advent and Christmas seasons when some of the readings dipped into the crucifixion. It was as if we had to temper our excitement and enthusiasm about celebrating the birth of Christ because we already knew the end of the story. Or at least part of the end. As I got older, the inclusion made sense.

During Lent, I find the reverse is true. While we focus on the Passion of Christ during these six weeks, we also can’t–or shouldn’t–take our eyes off the joy that comes at the end on Easter. We know the end of that story, too.

The daffodils and forsythia are the first signs of spring with their burst of bright yellow, also a symbol of hope after winter’s cold and darkness. Our daffodils bloom earlier than my friend Linda’s in Ohio, so I sent her the above pic when I got home. I send an early daffodil pic every year. Not to tease and say ‘na na!’ but to say, ‘It’s happening! The daffodils are open here, it won’t be long until yours are! Spring is definitely on its way!’ Yes, with the enthusiasm of three exclamation points. She always replies with a heart emoji and a thank you.

This year, these poinsettias are more symbolic for me. Hubby bought six of them for me to decorate around the house at Christmas. You know the kind, 2 for $4.00 or $6.00 at Home Depot. The other two came from church. We make a donation in honor of loved ones; the donation goes to buy poinsettias to decorate the church during the season. In January, we’re encouraged to take them home. It’s a ‘thank you’ for helping adorn the sanctuary, but no doubt also a quick and easy way for the parish to get rid of them.

So, I kept watering them but eventually the bright red leaves shriveled, got crispy, and fell off. Almost all at once as if they had a pact for a communal death. There were a few stragglers, but definitely not full bloom red. And the stems were browning. I was about to finally pitch them when I noticed new leaves sprouting. Among the remaining red leaves, bright green ones unfurled in contrast. The plants had to stay. Now, all eight plants are showing signs of new life.

So even more than the daffodils, for me, this rebirth of the Christmas flowers during Lent is the symbol of hope and expectancy of spring and new life to come, and ties the seasons together. I keep watering them, but have no idea how long they’ll actually thrive. I hope at least through the next six weeks. It will be fun if I have poinsettias mixed in with my Easter lilies and tulips. I’ll let you know.

This is one of the books I’m reading during Lent. It was recommended by a writer friend, not as a Lenten read, but because she thought I’d appreciate the writing. Wild Comfort, The Solace in Nature by Kathleen Dean Moore is another collection of essays. While not specific to Lent, the themes of sorrow, grief, joy, and life are in there and she finds the sacred in nature.

We were in Ohio for a family wedding. In addition to the joy of that event, two of my nieces are pregnant and due soon, one in April and one in May. Another niece in that family had a baby within the last six months. So much joy and hope!

What is bringing you joy and hope these days? It’s a challenge when we’re mired in the current political landscape. It’s a challenge when snow is still falling (2 feet in Arizona!) and I know family and friends are reeeeallly tired of winter and gray skies in Ohio.

Besides my poinsettias and daffodils (and forsythia and crocus) I’m finding fewer chinaberry shoots this spring. Yah! And this week it’s back to my normal level of crazy and activity–a Grand’s soccer practice, working on several writing projects … things that feed my soul. I hope you have those things too. Wishing you all a good week. I’ll be back on Monday … because at this point, I’m not going anywhere else!

So where are you finding joy and hope?