The ice on Tyaughton Lake is taking its time to disappear, and I am impatient for Spring to finally begin. The occasional morning snow leaves me feeling slightly depressed that I still have to wear a jacket outside.

Last night, however, I noticed a solitary Canada Goose standing calmly on the lake ice, its proud head alert. It made me stop to consider the unhurried frozen world from its perspective.

The locals have said that this is one of the coldest springs on record, and the larger-than-usual snowfalls this winter have contributed to the long drawn out melting process. I wonder, does the goose know this? Does it care? What options can it consider?

The goose outside my window doesn’t seem at all fazed by the ice on the lake. With effortless dignity, it carries on living to the best of its ability, accepting the ice as part of its natural environment. Nature does what it has to do in order to move through the seasons, and the goose instinctively deals with the elements. There is something to be learned from this. My childish grumbling about the cold and the ice seems quite inappropriate in this setting.

There is nothing I can do to hurry Mother Nature along. An attitude of gracious acceptance may help pass the time more comfortably. If a lone Canada Goose can patiently stand on ice waiting for Spring, then perhaps I too can take the time to simply reflect on the benefits of a long melting process. I too have weathered a harsh winter.

And even though Life can often be harsh … Spring eventually does come.

(Dedicated to courageous Sebastian Oliveira, aged 7, who recently passed away.)

http://www.sebastianssuperheroes.com/