When asked “what’s your favorite season?” the answers are typically fall or summer, and every once in a while someone will say winter – but never spring. I myself am guilty of this as my preference is summer. Yet, as spring comes upon us this year, I feel myself feeling happier and excited about the future months to come. Spring represents hope and restoration, and deserves more admiration from all of us.
One of my favorite aspects of spring is the blooming flowers and plants. Growing up, my elementary and middle schools were surrounded by cherry blossom trees, and every March they’d bloom, marking the shift from winter to spring. In spring, my Grandma would always pick me up from school and we’d talk about how much we loved those trees. Now, whenever I see these trees they remind me of my Grandma and the hope the season brings. The blooming of the plants reminds us there’s always a chance to restart, and wherever we are things will always get better.
I know daylight savings time is a controversial topic — some people hate it, some love it, and personally: I love it. There’s truly nothing better than having the sunset go from 6 pm to 7 pm. The extra hour of sunlight immediately boosts my mood and brings me hope because the end of winter is upon us. One of my favorite parts of the summer is how it stays lighter so much longer, but this phenomenon starts in the spring. Daylight savings is a little rough in the beginning, but it’s so worth it because it resembles the light at the end of the tunnel.
The change in weather in the spring is another part I adore. The emergence of the sun and the change to slightly warmer weather keeps me going till the end of the summer. Though the sun in spring is often intermixed with colder and rainy days, its presence alone marks the change in weather. Even when it does rain, blue skies appear a little in between the showers. As a kid I used to call this “wishy-washy” weather because it felt like the sky couldn’t make up its mind on how it felt that day. I’ve always loved the “wishy-washy” weather of the spring, for it often led to rainbows.
Growing up, when I was stressed or sad, my Mom would repeat the phrase, “This too shall pass,” (a famous Persian adage popularized by King Solomon). I think spring’s the embodiment of this saying. It acts as a reminder that light is coming at the end of winter. The passing showers, blooming flowers, and extended daylight show us everything is impermanent and darkness will fade. Spring is hope. Now, I still don’t think I’d change my answer to the question of my favorite season — I’d still have to say summer — but I have more of a respect for spring and its impact on my own life. Spring is an underrated season because it acts as a transition period for all of us from darkness to light, and it deserves a little more recognition.