Promises of Spring | Lisa Mauro

It seems strange to think that I only took this photo a week ago. Since then, we’ve had a “traditional Colorado Spring”; which is to say we’ve had at least two more rounds of snow with wild temperature swings. It seems only fitting that my moods have matched.

It’s okay. Sometimes Persephone needs a little more rest. So, then, what have I been up to besides traipsing around my garden and shirking those gratitude responsibilities?

Well, I’ve been working quite a bit. There’s something I really wasn’t able to say with a straight face for the last year, so that’s an improvement. In addition to the full-time gig I landed earlier this year, my small business is not only operational, it turned a profit in it’s first 30 days. And my clients are happy enough with me to continue throwing a steady stream of projects at me. I feel fortunate to be able to accept them, even.

I have made some small progress on the garden for the year. I’d had a bunch of thriving starter plants that had nowhere to go. So most of my lettuce died and the dill isn’t too far behind. The plants I was able to separate are still doing well so it’s not a total loss. Also, I continue to learn with each season. The plexiglass for the top of the raised beds arrived before the snow storms (PLURAL!) so perhaps we will get the roofs built before the end of April. The beds need to be aerated and fed but hopefully I can get plants in the ground before Mothers Day.

I listened to the folks around me who encouraged me to celebrate Easter. I’m not particularly religious anymore but I do enjoy the traditional foods my Italian family usually makes for the holiday. And some of these recipes are things we only eat then. It’s not like anyone would serve a Pane di Pasqua in December. So, we inventoried and hit two stores and gathered all of the things and I baked and cooked for basically a day and a half and it was lovely.

And I know I’ve been remiss with my gratitudes. I also know that a practice of gratitude can have profound effects on one’s mental health. I especially know how important that is right now, for me, just like a lot of others. I know I’m weeks overdue on all of the masks I said I’d make for my friends on the front lines. And I know I’m weeks behind on the notes to my coworkers who show up every day to keep our patients alive. We’re all on this struggle bus and it feels like no one is driving.

So, I just keep plugging away. Most of the cards were written. Now I need to address, seal, stamp and mail them. All of the fabric is cut. Now I need to dig the sewing machine out of the garage and actually put my foot on the pedal. I know I need to DO.

Here’s a somewhat abbreviated list:

I am grateful for my family’s traditions because they bring me comfort when I cannot be with them.

I am grateful to be my niece’s guinea pig as she continues to grow her culinary skills. She made an awesome dinner for us last night.

I am grateful that I’m fortunate enough to have people who love me even when I’m hard to love. Hey, I can count on one hand the number of places I’ve been – other than home – in the last six weeks. Shit happens.

I am grateful to be employed, to have health insurance, and that insurance is accessible. 10 days of antibiotics is bad enough, but it was nice to not have to struggle to access the care I needed. Don’t get your hopes up, folks; it’s not terminal.

I am grateful that my coach recommended I stay off Facebook for a few weeks. It’s really amazing what a few days away from it has done for my mental health.

I am grateful for that once-seemingly-overwhelming To Be Read (TBR) pile because it is coming in handy!

And now, you.

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