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I think that I remember correctly that seasons were not the roller coaster ride of temperature variations that they seem to be now during my childhood. It gradually got colder, with the potential exception of a few warm days amidst Autumn, and then gradually warmed up. There was a predictable cycle to them. Many might chime in at this point and claim that it is Global Warming. I do not know enough about the earth’s temperature fluctuations to even consider an answer, but it is definitely not the same.

Temperature fluctuations became more apparent when I moved to Pittsburgh. Yes, some will joke and say that it only happens in Pittsburgh, where you can experience all four seasons in one day.  But the past few months have produced the following scenario:

1. First Winter
2. Second Fall
3. Second Winter
4. First Spring
5. Third Winter
6. Second Spring
7. Fourth Winter

We began to think that Punxsutawney Phil was correct. The Records of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club indicate that Phil has predicted 108 continued winters and only 20 early springs. According to Stormfax Weather Alamanac, Phil has been correct only 39% of the time. I did not see my shadow either in the morning of that day, but did so in the afternoon, so I predicted six more weeks of weather.

We are currently experiencing fourth Winter, with temperatures in the 30’s after having had a few days with temperatures in the low 70’s. Some may suggest that this is no longer unusual, but the new usual, and we should get used to it. After digging out spring clothes, I had to put them away in the back of the closet and pull back out the winter clothes. But despite that, the harbingers of Spring are what I have noticed this past week. Not only the blossoming of our five daffodils, but I saw a robin in my back yard this morning. The cacophony of songbirds in the early morning and sunset are a welcome symphony to my ears. The beauty and aroma of magnolias fills the air. The vast hues of blossoming trees, with their shades of white, pink and purple, along with the bright yellow forsythia bushes, fills the landscape.

I mention this because I’ve chosen to notice the beauty of nature reborn. I’m grateful to God that I’m able to see color, and take in the full experience of the rebirth of nature from her dormancy. The Rabbis of the Talmud were keenly aware of this, and created a bracha which reads in English: Praised are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who did not cause a lack of anything in His world, and who created in it beautiful creatures and beautiful trees, to cause humanity’s pleasure through them. This bracha teaches us that God was thoughtful enough to create a vast array of beautiful flora and fauna that brings us pleasure. Leaving the discussion of how we have treated our environment for another occasion, now is the moment to take the time to take it all in, as this blossoming period is short. We should appreciate it, and express gratitude to God for this immense outburst of beauty. What a wonderful way to escape the trials and tribulations of our daily lives by simply taking pleasure in nature. It is a restorative for the soul, and we should find the time every day to escape the harsh realities of how we humans cannot get along with each other and just enjoy the wonder of nature. It is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present. Enjoy!