The ice has melted. The snow is gone. Sap is rising in the trees and in we humans. I remember when it began just before Christmas. We were thinking about our imminent holiday in New Orleans. The joy of Christmas was everywhere. Now we are three months into 2026. Time goes too fast. There is a spirit of renewal in the air. Time to shake the winter hibernation off and set about to do what all good boys and girls must. The birds are singing…’ join us in the happiness of life.’ ‘Leave behind your doubts and fears and live while you can feel the warmth of the Sun,’ the Birds proclaim. ‘Shake off your cares and woes,’ the song extols. We live in a miracle, and at times, cannot see it for our troubled hearts and minds.

‘Live while you are alive,’ Mr. Badger extols. ‘There is no work nor device nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest,’ Mr. Bader proclaims. ‘It is time for a great Spring Adventure,’ Mr. Badger says. ‘Politicans come and go, but life continues,’ Mr. Badger observes. ‘Let us go to where the Preacher is speaking,’ Mr. Badger suggests. ‘Ratty will take us by boat down the river to the meeting place,’ Mr. Badger informs. ‘There we will hear the story of Easter,’ Mr. Badger notes with a smile.

‘Climb aboard, gents, Ratty said. ‘There is a message of hope in the Woods,’ Ratty danced on the boat deck. ‘The Preacher said for all to come and hear his message,’ Ratty noted. ‘Preacher says that a change is coming…peace is at hand…there is a new world,’ Ratty said with a wide smile.

‘Let us go to the Woods to hear the Preacher that the government does not approve of,’ Chet said. ‘It is said that he has words of peace…words of comfort…a vision for the future,’ Chet continued. ‘The Preacher speaks of the old ways and things we have forgotten…of love for the poorest of us and succor for the homeless and hungry…the stranger and those who are forgotten,’ Chet explained. ‘Preacher speaks of his temptation…his suffering…his doubt and denial,’ Chet said softly. ‘The Desire of the Ages is among us, and we do not see it,’ Chet said boldly. ‘Preacher says many of us are trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle and need to offload our baggage of life,’ Chet offered. ‘It is not just the billionaire or the millionaire but many of us who have forgotten the message of Easter,’ Chet continued. ‘There is a change in life for us,’ Chet observed.

‘We have forgotten the value of human life,’ the Preacher said. ‘We have said never again…yet again has happened and is happening,’ the Preacher continued. ‘I had dark days of the soul…now we must accept that the end is not yet…but is coming,’ the Preacher said. ‘Morning is at hand…we must prepare for the joy of life without persecution…free speech and thought…safety,’ the Preacher said. ‘To doubt is human…to forgive divine,’ the Preacher said softly.

So it goes…spring begins as all other springs have. People go about shopping and working…hoping for renewal and purpose. Many trust what the Leader tells them. Others desire the old ways of help and kindness. Spring will soon become summer, and summer will become autumn. Then we begin again…will we be wiser for our efforts?