Spring Beginnings

Hibernate
verb hi·​ber·​nate\ ˈhī-bər-ˌnāt 
Intransitive verb
to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state-—bears hibernating in their dens
to be or become inactive or dormant—let the computer hibernate 

By the time you are reading this, Spring will be upon us.  I don’t know about you but I feel like I’m coming out of my own form of hibernation. And not just your run-of-the-mill bearlike single winter hibernation, but a sort of hyper-hibernation that we’ve all been in for the past couple of years.  

Ever the optimist, I feel that this Spring is the beginning of the end of the surreal effects the pandemic has foisted upon us all.  It really does feel like we’re awaking from a surreal two-year slumber.  Like most of you, I’ve yearned for a return to the pre-Covid times when I actually knew what day of the week it was, children physically left home to attend class, family could freely gather at holidays, and I didn’t have to double-check my car every day as I left the house to ensure I had a stash of masks. To be certain, these are but small concessions in the grand scheme of things, and I don’t mean to minimize the seriousness of the pandemic or diminish the fact that many were gravely affected over the last few years.

Spring.  A time of rejuvenation, renewal, and reinvention.  

This Spring feels especially invigorating, as I hope that we all are finally able to return to a more “normal” life.  But, I hope we don’t forget what we’ve learned or experienced during our extended hibernation.   For me, I plan on continuing to get outside and visit with my neighbors, be it six feet apart or not, for that is just one of the many silver linings from Covid.  The way community came together to help and care for each other over the last two years has been beautiful to experience. Along that same vein, I’ve come to appreciate face-timing relatives and friends that do not live in Austin.  The accessibly to loved ones via technology is priceless and something I am thankful for. We’ve all had more than our share of Zoom meetings, but as we go forward, video visits and meetings are now and forever a way of life.  

For many of us, Spring brings a promise of new beginnings. For some, that means news houses, new cities, new jobs, new relationships and new priorities.  As life starts to amp back up this Spring, let’s take advantage of the momentous opportunity that lays before us.  Let’s reach beyond the cliches about spring cleaning the garage, and think on a much grander scale how you can rejuvenate or reinvent yourself as we awake to a brighter future. Be well and be kind to each other.