The Wonders of April

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

April is almost here once again, the peak of Spring and the dawn of new green life springs forth, early flowers and warm sunshine, along with those cool Spring rains that bring renewing life and growth to all that they refresh. For me, April is one of those precious months that seem so long in arriving, then passes all too quickly.

Each year, April begins with “April Fools Day” for the young at heart, with a fun day of pranks and good-natured fibs. Always good for at least one belly laugh as SOMEONE doesn’t realize they’ve been fooled.  Not as enjoyable for many of us, but April brings us our day of reckoning with Uncle Sam and the Governor on the 15th for our taxes. Arbor Day and Earth Day help us appreciate the wonders of our earth, trees and environment. Fitting since the earth comes to life each Spring with sounds of birds returning, and life abounding everywhere as nature comes forth from hibernation once again.

This year the very first April weekend brings to Christians our most important Holy day of the entire year. We experience somber reflection at the greatest sacrifice ever made for us on Good Friday. Then, the absolute JOY of his miraculous resurrection on Easter Sunday. Joy filled Alleluia’s, ringing of beautiful hymns and thankfulness sung in unison on this joyful day is a sweet blessing and provides amazing memories for most of us. Many will gather with our families for a big Easter dinner. A huge fragrant Ham with mashed potatoes and gravy and all the fixings greets us at home after church. The house is full and abuzz with chatter and laughter. We love seeing the children enjoy the Easter egg hunts, bunny rabbits, and who can forget watching them searching for the cleverly hidden Easter baskets!

 My own family memories rush back with jelly beans, colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow Peeps. I still remember an Easter over 20 years ago, stealthily dropping plastic treat filled eggs one after another into a downspout at my parent’s home as my toddler nephew joyfully grabbed each one as they magically popped out before him.

Baseball season hits full stride each Spring and for diehard Brewers fans like me, that means ball games on the radio whenever we can catch them. Nothing says Spring to many of us like a day at the ballpark rooting on the boys.

In other places, gardeners go ahead and plant, but my wise old Father always told me, no matter how nice it is in April, wait until Mother’s Day to put things in the ground here, if you don’t want them frozen. If you have a green thumb, I’m sure you’ll get started somehow, whether that be indoors or with a greenhouse approach. 

My hope for my readers this April is that you may enjoy the sublime majesty and awe-inspiring moments that the blooming of April brings you, no matter what that is.