A walk in the spring rain

BY HOWARD E. CUMMINS

I have recently heard individuals referencing our current fight to stifle the COVID-19 pandemic as fighting a war. A war against an unseen but potentially deadly pathogen that has invaded our shores. Our current “war” brings to mind William Saroyan’s novel ‘The Human Comedy’. This book offers a view of the tragedy of war, and how the social psychosis of wartime affects all of us. Not only is Saroyan’s novel a great work of American literature, it is a masterpiece of insights into how we, as Americans, handle our own personal commitments to stand behind a united front, whether we are for or against its final introduction into our lives.
I feel confident in speaking for most of us in saying that we never thought we’d ever have to fight this type of unique war. It’s a war that involves remaining isolated from others versus physically fighting an adversary. We have to leave that physical battle to our medical community. For most of us our duty is to enforce distance from others, something that we humans, as social animals, are finding very hard to do.

So as the cold, blustery days of winter fade, I want to reflect on the fact that we are left with the subtle promise for the possibility of something better, something immaculate and warming, and something full of hope. Spring has a way of washing away all the seemingly bad feelings of helplessness, and therein – again - lies the lesson we learn about shedding our discontent and despair and substituting, instead, the freshness of Nature’s promises.

Take a walk in the spring rain. Admittance is free to view the spectacular show of the earth coming alive. It’s an opportunity to embrace up close the spectacular colors of the cherry, crabapple, dogwood, redbud, blue violet, dandelions and so many other vibrant trees and flowers. As you are immersed in this new awakening it’s easy to imagine all the tiny climbing, creeping, crawling, barely visible, little earth critters coexisting in the natural rhythm of survival.
Taking a solitary walk in the spring rain will make all the difference in understanding how the eternal wellspring of peace lies in the refusal of surrendering to the forces of helplessness and hopelessness. It’s not only healthy for the body but healthy for the mind and spirit.
Springtime is a promise that everything will be better, eventually. This luminous birth of new life is a reflection of what is to be, eventually, and all the faster when we have the wisdom and patience for understanding the importance of our personal role. No politics needed. No labels and name-calling. Just a sensible awareness that victory against this unseen foe is possible.