Spring Ahead

View of NYC from West Orange, NJ

As I look outside, it is snowing once again here in New Jersey. The kids are home for Spring vacation, so at least no more snow days will be used. The clocks have been changed, so now there is more daylight in the evening. The calendar tells us that Spring is here. Opening day in baseball is literally days away. Of course, much of the snow that falls today will start melting tomorrow and become slushy, and in the next couple of weeks, we will see temperatures above 60 degrees. 

But spring always seems to be a time for optimism. It's usually neither too hot nor too cold (present exception excluded). Actually, for someone here in northern New Jersey, this optimism must be reaching new heights today with a single winning Powerball ticket valued at $338 million. Outdoor events are becoming more frequent - picnics, concerts, 5K races, parades, and more. 

The outdoor light even feels a bit different, as the sun sets in a position in the sky different from early winter. In fact, just a few days ago, the light was hitting the New York skyline in an amazing way around sunset. Despite the cold, my family decided to pick up a few things at a pizzeria and have an in-the-car picnic. About a dozen or so miles from New York City as the crow flies, there is a beautiful, hilly Essex County park, Eagle Rock Reservation. The view is incredibly panoramic on a clear day, from the George Washington Bridge to the north to the Verrazano Bridge to the southeast. Although the sun sets in the west, the lighting to the east was impressive. What makes Eagle Rock even more wonderful is that there is a very touching, beautiful 9/11 memorial that faces the skyline. In clear sight is the rebuilding of the New York City skyline, including the new World Trade Center. 

Spring is about things coming back to life. Whether it is nature renewing itself as we go through the four seasons, or seeing a great city continuing its recovery, it is a positive feeling.

 

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