You know that this is the last snow of the season. You’re absolutely sure, because it’s almost the end of May, and spring should be on its way. You don your winter jacket, wool gloves, and warmest cap. You pull on your winter boots, inserting the spiked crampons around the soles. You head for the woods, knowing there is a white world out there again. The trees are covered with huge white puffs of snow. You trudge, your boots sinking into the heavy snow. You almost like it, this being the last snow. You take a deep breath as you look around at the world of magic wonder. But you know it’ll be gone soon and won’t come back until next winter.

It’s not long before all the signs of the white have disappeared. You anticipate the warm temperature as you slip on your light shirt and shorts. And you push your bare feet into your waiting sandals. Look! The earth is back! You walk in the meadow, touching the new- born leaves on the bushes and you brush by the thick green grasses, taking in the new sights of the world around you. As you walk into the woods, you see life, abundant with new sights, new sounds, the fresh smells wafting around you.

You put away that winter jacket, and stuff the mittens and hat in a box meant for winter clothes. Your heavy boots go into hiding in the closet. The crampons are pulled off the boots and put in their place to be stored. You finally put away the snow shovel. You fill the bird bath with water. The birds know, and here they come! Yes! At last, spring is here! And you can feel the sun and know that spring is here for good! No more winter! Spring is here…for good!

A day later, not a long time, you look out your window to scan the spring wonder….and there is something in the air taking your attention! It is like little white things coming from the sky. No, it can’t be! It is snowflakes! And steadily charging to the ground. It doesn’t take long for the world to be covered with white. You might like to say it’s kind of pretty, this snow. But you don’t say that. The bird bath is covered with snow, the birds have gone someplace else. You think you’d better retrieve the snow shovel.

You change from your shirt and shorts to warm pants and sweater. You go to that box and pull out the jacket! And you round up the boots, gloves and hat. Growling, you put the crampons over the boots. You get the snow shovel out. And then, as you shovel through the heavy white stuff, you grin with confidence, saying: this is the last snow of the season, for sure!

Time entices the snow to begin to melt. You look out the window at the white…. and brown earth…struggling together to see who wins. Now, you have a bright idea! You will create two piles of clothes. One pile is the winter jacket, gloves, and hat, and the other is your summer shirt, shorts, and sandals.

You keep that snow shovel leaning against the deck railing. You fill the pitcher with water and put it by the door, ready, some day, for the bird bath. Now, you are ready…for anything!