Walking to work this morning with the rain gently falling around me, and daffodils in full bloom, I realized just how grateful I am that Spring is finally here. It has been a long, hard winter. Maybe it is just me, but each season feels vastly different. Each season is like a varying collage of sights, sounds, smells and memories of people, places and things that move incessantly inside of me. They ebb and flow like the tides of the ocean.
Spring in my mind smells like fresh rain and flowers. I can hear birds chirping in the trees each morning as they work to prepare their nests for new life. I can see hills and meadows for as far as the eye can see-- they beckon to me to lie down in the long grass and be at peace. I am flooded with memories of going to the Gettysburg battlefield at the beginning of Spring to fly kites. My mom and dad went yesterday, and it was the first time in all these years that they went by themselves to do this. There really is no place like Gettysburg in the springtime--unforgettable. It has always been a time when my dad and I could sit on our porch swing and talk about anything and everything. My dad's life has always been a mystery to me, and it probably always will be. Every now and then, he will share something new, and in this way, I am able to catch a glimpse of what his life must have been like. I am learning more about him each new day, or maybe I am knowing him for the first time. I have always loved adventure, and exploring with my brother was a favorite pastime. Every Spring we would build forts in the woods and search for new trails and old country roads. My best friend Becca and I still do this. We have a tradition of going to Sheetz to get coffee and then walking for hours around our town or on the surrounding trails and back roads. Spring reminds me of all of these things, and how good my life has been so far. Living in a small town is an opportunity to develop a very active imagination, and I think that is what I have done. I do not believe my life has ever been boring. Becca and I...we made things happen.
Although Fall will always be my favorite season, I can appreciate why Spring is so many peoples' favorite time of year. It is a beginning and ending of sorts. It is an end to the burdens that winter can bring, while simultaneously being a time of rejuvenation and revitalization. We can finally walk outside without our heavy coats and scarves, and smile as the sun warms our faces and a cool breeze moves through our fingers. I have been easily frustrated with many things lately, and Spring helps me to remember that life can be good, that people can be good.
There is a feeling inside of me that once again I am standing on the threshold of something. I am coming to the end of one road and am now scanning the horizon for a new path. I will meet this change without trepidation, and the old fears of the unknown are not present in my heart. Everyone in the house is not quite certain what they want to do after this year of volunteer work is complete. I am not sure myself, but I am content with the realization that everything will fall into place for me and for everyone in the house. I want to go back to DC to work for a year, study for my LSATS and apply for law school. Everyone is so certain that I'll be able to do this. I wish I could be as assured. However, I do believe that our paths become clearer to us each and everyday.
Last week was spent at our midyear retreat for BVS. It was wonderful to see everyone again, and in all probability, for the last time. After being there for only two days, I hopped a plane to Orlando, Florida for a conference (GAINS Conference). It is a conference that focuses on a vast array of criminal justice issues like prison reform, diversion programs, mental health and veterans' issues, etc... We stayed at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and we made the most of our time there. After the all day sessions, Cathy Jo and I would go to places around Disney like Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk, and Downtown Disney. We spent Saturday at one of the resort pools trying to get some semblance of a tan. I should have used more sunblock though...we both look like lobsters now lol :D I am blessed to be working with such a wonderful person as Cathy Jo. She has quickly become a very good friend to me. Now that we are back, we need to start implementing many of the plans we have laid out for our mentoring program. I'll be trying to start small-group mentoring at Rewards Jail Intervention--a court-ordered diversion program for incarcerated men and women. Then I'll be going to three places every week. Wish me luck!
I can't wait for summer to come! Spring gets me so excited about being able to be outdoors more often. Everyone in the house loves different things and as the weather improves, I can envision Ben going on more runs and visiting farmer's markets in search of fresh produce. Laura will be busy preparing and tending to both the small garden at the church and the big community garden. She has a daunting task ahead of her, but she is entirely capable of seeing it through. Besides helping Laura with the garden, I can see Anne sitting on our sunny porch more to relax and do work, as well as walking down to Eden Park and Mirror Lake. As for me, I will be using my free time to do things with my mentees once they are finished with their programs or released from jail. I will be in search of old things...I will visit the museums around the city and hopefully try to do something with the historical society. History has always been a large part of my life that I can rarely share with people. I have definitely felt a void these past few months, and it's about time I kept up with it once more.
We will never be at this time and place in our lives again. So here's to making it count...
A Friend Always,
Katie
