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Springtime in Oklahoma

From the spot by my grill in the backyard, there’s a beautiful view of the moon rising over the trees.

I spend a lot of time there, outside, listening to the steaks sizzle and watching the smoke drift across the warm evening breeze.

Around me, the grass is making a quick transition from brown to green and the neighborhood kids have put down their cell phones long enough to play a little basketball before they go to bed.

The little lady a few houses down is trimming her yard with a pair of pruning shears or, maybe, a big pair of scissors — I can’t be sure.

Whatever the tool, her yead is Better Homes and Gardens perfect.

In garages throughout our neighborhood, mothers have drug out the empty blue plastic tubs; they’ll be filled with winter clothes, while the T-shirts and the shorts which were once there will be moved to the front of the closet.

It’s springtime in Oklahoma.

The flowers begin to bloom and the bartlett pear trees which line south Lincoln Boulevard — in front of the Capitol building — look like their branches are filled with huge cotton balls.

The Legislature has reconvened, determined this year to save our souls, and solve every problem facing the residents of the Sooner State.

They are the primary reason for the vast expanse of hot air which has settled over central Oklahoma.

But even then, the nights are still cool, the breeze is soft and warm sunny days are now the norm.

Here at the office, I see more colorful dresses and the occasional knit shirt. The view from the balcony draws more people.

And my desire to lie under a large tree and spend the afternoon, sleeping in the sun is almost overwhelming.

When I was a kid, I remember asking my father which of the seasons was his favorite. He smiled, pulled me close to him, and said each one. He said, for him, the joy came in watching each season come and being around to witness the change. “That’s how you know God’s up there, lookin’ out for us,” he told me.

I find comfort in that idea.

I find peace in knowing that somewhere in the vast expanse of blue, the Almighty is in control and he’s making sure the Earth is spinning just as it should.

I also find happiness in knowing that the view from heaven must be pretty spectacular; because here, below, on a warm spring night, with some really nice steaks sizzling on the grill, the view of heaven is pretty spectacular, too.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I enjoy the imagery. Good twist at the end, too.

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