It seems that Spring has arrived suddenly – bringing with it glorious days of sunshine – causing burst of spring flowers to appear wherever I look – and making my heart sing.

It has also caused me to get busy – preparing for the next seasons – cleaning up the garden – erecting my greenhouse – and making sure I have the compost and seeds all ready to go – in order to enjoy those beautiful flowers throughout the Summer.

I love our changing seasons – but especially wait with great anticipation – for the Spring to arrive – allowing me to leave behind those dark days of Winter – and look towards those longer – warmer days over the months to come.

As I plan though – I am well aware – that as the seasons of our lives come and go – we are not always able to anticipate and plan for the changes that occur.

“Life at any time can become difficult – life at any time can become easy – good or bad – they are seasons of life – it all depends upon how you take on life – and adjust to those seasons.”

For some family and friends – the season of life – at the moment – still feels very much like Winter. And – as I seek to walk with them through loss – through dark days – that they could not plan for – they seek to adjust – to the changes that have been thrust upon them.

“Sometimes life changes in an instant – we can’t always prepare – but we can control how we respond”

That was never more true for us as a family – than it was five years ago.

Life changed – in an instant – the dark season was thrust upon us – with no time to plan – no chance to prepare.

But – no season lasts forever – as is often quoted – “No Winter lasts forever – no Spring skips it’s turn”

And – for us – the winter gave way to the spring – and we learnt to live again – while forever remembering.

For – those memories – “remind us – that nothing lasts forever – time is precious – and should not be wasted – enjoy life – and remember – don’t count the days – make the days count”

And so – I seek to live life each day – not knowing when the season that I am in may change – not always being able to plan – but rather- choose to control my response – to make my days count – through the storms – and the darkness – as well as through the warm sunny days.

Blessings – Lois