A teeny, tiny taste of spring

This week is Spring Break for me and Jeremy. This is a good thing, since it's been kind of an exhausting semester so far for both of us. My favorite thing about spring break is that Jeremy has let me sleep in until 8:30 every day. So happy! I'm not sure what Jeremy's favorite thing about spring break is, though I'd guess it has something to do with not preparing a 2 1/2 hour lecture.

Spring break in Syracuse is often something of a misnomer, since spring doesn't really arrive in full force for at least another month. You may recall our spring break trip to "Mexico" a few years ago as evidence that Central New York's weather will not be dictated by academic calendars.

But yesterday....

I almost hesitate to describe the glory and wonder of yesterday's weather, lest my joy should tempt the fates into sending another two feet of snow. But nevertheless, yesterday was truly thrilling after months of snow and dim lighting. The sun shone! The temperatures reached 50!

Jeremy took Clara to preschool then went to the library to grade midterms (see what I mean about not knowing what Jeremy likes about spring break?). Jonathan and I took advantage of the weather by opting for a stroll in the sunshine.


I will say that Jonathan is my most vampire-like child, in that he has grown too used to overcast skies and whimpers pathetically when he sees the sun. So I was not surprised when we left the apartment and he clenched his eyes shut for the first fifty yards of the walk while holding my hand. When he finally deigned to open his eyes, the first thing he said was, "Why are we walking?" I said, "Because it's wonderful to breathe the fresh air!" He thought for a moment then said, "Well, I will take a very big breathe."


We walked up the hill behind our apartment complex to a pleasant neighborhood, and Jonathan was thrilled by the number of large storm drains in the sidewalk. We stopped at every one and crouched down to watch the snow melt into the grate.

By the time we turned around, Jonathan was pretty tired, so I carried him home on my shoulders. But I rode the high of that walk for the rest of the day. Perhaps spring really is on the way...

Another Sam-Day

During the last week of February we celebrated Sam's seventh birthday. Every year I am astounded by how much time has passed, and seven years certainly feels like a long time to be without him in our family. But we still feel strongly that he is a very real part of our family, and we are comforted by our faith in the resurrection and forever families. I know we will see him one day.


It's been very important to me and Jeremy to have Sam's birthday be a happy day, a celebration of our family. I think we've been successful so far, because I'm pretty sure Clara and Jonathan think it's one of the best days of the year. They are happy to each get a little present (even if one of the presents was a doll house we found next to the dumpster a few days before we moved from Saint Paul--as if they're old enough to know or care about stuff like that). And they are equally happy to feast on a special dinner and a rare dessert (this year: funfetti cake with chocolate frosting). They are sweet and wonderful children, and when I look at them I can see Sam. The more they understand about their older brother, the more we can see a love for him deepen in their hearts. I'm grateful for that.