Spring Memories

Strange, what brings back memories.
Here in Binghamton, New York, nature is gearing up. 

My Mom loved lilacs.  Their fragrance reminds me of her.  She died in her 40's.  I've been able to see so many more springs than she did.

When lilacs bloom, dogwoods (a native to our country) are not far behind.  This tree will be stunning in a few days (especially if the sun ever shows its face again).  Meanwhile, this spring, we visited Charlottesville, VA not long after their dogwood festival - what beauty.

Sorry about the blur

Teaming with lilacs for a perfect trifecta, an Eastern Redbud (also a native tree).  Again, this is just a taste of what the tree will look like in a few days.

One of my aunts, who passed away years ago, loved redbuds so much.   The streets of where she lived, Iowa City, Iowa, were lined with these beautiful trees.

There are other flowering trees in Binghamton right now, but their pictures will have to wait for tomorrow.  Because today, I think of my loved ones who were once part of my life, and who no longer are.  They live again each spring, as sleeping trees and bulbs come to life.  Before they leaf out, they remind us that beauty is fleeting.  They remind us that life is meant to be enjoyed, one day at a time.  But don't take too long - if you wait until it's too late, you may never get another chance.

Thank you, spring.

Since 1898, incidentally, thousands of people have visited Rochester, New York (about 2 1/2 hours from us) for its annual Highland Park lilac festival. Over 500,000 people are expected to visit during the 10 day festival this year, which starts on Friday.  And, in another memory, there

But for me, the festival of spring starts right here, at home.

What does spring mean to you?  Beauty? Allergies?