The Dawn of Spring

By Dave Olson, Realtor®, SRES^TM RE/MAX EXCEL

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold, when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens, Great Expectations 

These words describe the paradox of March wonderfully in a quote from one of the greatest writers of all time. I cannot think of a better description for the dawn of Spring that we know as March.  Warm, yet cold. Sunny and warm inspiring the anticipation of warmer days, then that anticipation slammed shut with wet snows to keep winter alive a bit longer. Budding of green, yet the bright white clings to the earth, unwilling to give way. The paradox of March in our beautiful Wisconsin. 

In my work as a Real Estate agent, I often get to express what each of the Wisconsin seasons is like to out of state clients moving here.  My descriptions of the dawn of Spring and its stunning renewal of outdoor life are one of my favorite things to share with them. The joy of fresh Spring air with the first open windows of the year. Coming forth from our winter cocoon to hear new birds singing as they return from warmer places. The lengthening of days. Cold nights, warm sunny melting days. Maple sap running to bring us that sweet northern nectar we love as Maple syrup, the world’s best is cooked right here in our home state each Spring. I get to describe that and explain to folks just how amazing the seasons are here, especially Spring. Everyone asks about the long harsh Winters, and I of course share how we cope, but I also eagerly explain to them the joy and anticipation that comes when we near the end of our long Winter here. 

The title of Dicken’s work, “Great Expectations” precisely describes our spirits as we look forward to the dawn of a new and glorious season here in our beautiful state. Spring has a far deeper meaning for us hardy Wisconsinites. Our Winters ARE longer, colder, and darker than many other places, so the sweetness of the dawn of Spring is extra sweet because of our long wait. We look forward with great expectations to April and May when the transition completes its journey and Spring completely arrives to stay. It is the “great expectations” we have in the tidbits of Spring as it teases in March that lift our spirits. Spring teases that warm our hearts in anticipation of the end of Winter and the beauty of Spring’s glory. 

It is early February as I write this piece, but just thinking about what March has in store for us has my heart happy and warming my soul from the inside out. My prayer for each of you is that you will be filled with Joy from the inside out too, and your anticipation of Spring to come will take seed in you with the teases of Spring offered in March.