The winds howled all day Sunday. Our phone weather alarms sounded, and we trekked to the basement. The uncertainty is like a thick cloud. Today, the temperature has dropped 40 degrees. Winter asks that we not forget him and that he will soon be back.

A time of change is upon us. We will put on our big adult clothing and set about doing what good people should do. The blankets of winter are being stored, and now is the time to make hay while the sun shines. The flowers will bloom, and so shall we. Long hours of work are ahead, as well as long hours of play. Trips to be taken and adventures to be had. We shake the snow off our shoulders and rejoice to be children of the Sun. The clock has come full circle, and the clock begins.

‘I’m late…I’m late…for a very important date,’ the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland proclaimed.’ So may we be if we do not take advantage of the bright days that soon get hot and then cool again.

‘This year we shall visit the past,’ Billy B said with assurance. ‘We will go to the Greatest Generation to see what made them so great,’ Billy B continued. ‘What made them go to war, and why did they do so?’ Billy B asked. ‘Were they like us or quite different?’ Billy B said. ‘Neva J waited on Dad as he fought in the Pacific,’ Billy B noted. ‘When they came home, the Baby Boom Generation came,’ Billy B laughed. ‘We fought Hitler and his scourge of Europe…Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor…the boys had plans for weddings and home…many plans died in the battle,’ Billy B said softly.

‘Women went to work in the factories, Neva J told me,’ Jane said. ‘They made armanements for the men in the battle…everyone pulled together for a common goal,’ Jane continued. ‘Neva J spoke of her and her family searching for persimmons in the woods due to having no food during the Great Depression and then the War,’ Jane said. ‘Bill left for the Pacific in the spring when the trees were just budding out,’ Jane remembered Neva J’s words.

‘Dutch went missing in action in the spring,’ Neva J said. ‘Mom got the notice and we all cried and hoped he would be found…he never was,’ Neva J said. ‘Mom planted a Victory Garden each spring in memory of Dutch,’ Neva J noted. ‘I used to sit by the Garden and watch the sun set over the horizon and see the shadow of a man standing nearby,’ Neva J said in a whisper. ‘My brother was there in the Garden with me,’ Neva J said with tears in her eyes.