The Colors of Spring

There’s healing in seeing trees bloom after a long winter. It’s no longer as cold as when we first came to Montana. No more heavy jackets and uncomfortable shoes; I’ve put them all in our storage cabinet, where they’ll stay unused until next cold season.

I hadn’t worn my flip-flops in a while; they felt so foreign when I put them on yesterday. My feet were getting used to feeling the earth again, and the wild dandelions pledged of a great summer ahead. I felt the urge to pick them and blow away their seeds but I resisted. Not yet. There will be a perfect time for that.

From work, I took a bus whose driver endearingly told me they could only drop me off at Main Street. Which meant I had to walk through the rain to get home. I had no choice, but the rain was light, and Google Maps estimated I would arrive in 11 minutes.

Once I hopped off the bus, I began my journey. The roads here don’t have pedestrian crosswalks. One could get confused as to where to cross legally and safely. Usually, people cross at the traffic lights. But that was too far away. I just ensured there were no police cars before crossing toward the end of 12th Avenue East.

I walked 11 blocks to get to our apartment. My shoes were wet but I didn’t mind for the place was peaceful. I was the only person walking at that moment.

It’s been raining for a week now. Rain makes everything gloomy; it summons all the skin-walker-like demons to come out of their hidings. To creep in, out, on and up. To glare at you while you endure living this hard life you never asked for.

I was about to feel sad until I saw the trees. They’re insanely beautiful!

Trees with different shapes and colors. They’re just as diverse as humans. The picture of greens with little patches of brown and white enthralls. It felt as if I were inside a painting– that I was the figure the artist had included to balance the composition. I caught myself daydreaming of powerful winds blowing through my hair while I danced among the trees.

I couldn’t be more grateful for filling my heart with joy. Maybe that’s why trees bloom during Springtime– because it rains. Trees provide relief from a dismal feeling.

Going back to reality, I finally reached our apartment. I sat in the tub with a heart yearning for something I did not fully understand.