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10 | OHCC LIVING | MAY 2020 | Photo by Scott Watanabe "Spring grew on and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night and, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps." Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre As we are now given the gift of expanses of time and the opportunity (some would say necessity) of repetitive activities, walking the Leisure Village Loop has become a daily, if not multi-daily, diversion, and form of exercise. But, it is much, much more! Our senses are acutely aware of changes – we no longer hear cars – we hear the songs of the mockingbird calling for a mate. We take deep breaths, and occasionally the scent of jasmine enters our noses. We survey our surroundings in slow motion and notice daily the different blooms bursting along the streets. HELLO SPRING! Good morning, Delos Way Gazanias! Your yellow, white, orange and (for some fortunate neighbors) lavender faces look up as the sun warms them and us. "And, good morning to you too, people. We are delighted that you have finally noticed us as we have been dancing and singing for you every year but you have not seen or heard us. Welcome to spring." Buenos Dias, Bougainvillea! "Are you speaking to me?" she said. "I have been waiting for you to notice my efforts – my most glamorous attire that becomes more abundant with sumptuous colors of pink and purple – and that rare soft salmon on Rhodes Way. How is it that you have not seen, really seen, me in these many years. Welcome to spring! And as we meander through the community wearing our masks, keeping social distances from the humans we were so happy to see and pause and speak to about our busy, busy lives, we now are greeted by the willowy purple salvia waving to us. Hello! Hello! The lantana dressing up more each day in her orange and red and yellow – and for some fortunate neighbors, again – lavender blooms reach up from the mulch and say "look, look, look! I am gifting you. And each day, I will bear brighter gifts." As we amble from Andros to Marathon, an irresistible aroma fills the air and our eyes are drawn to the apricot blooms of the roses on the corner beckoning to us. "Come, come just a bit closer. We are safe – you can savor us but watch for our thorns. We will shed our petals but will open new blooms each day you pass – just for you." We begin to complete our promenade for the morning. We raise our eyes and marvel at the delicate pink blooms of the Hong Kong Orchid tree. She is balletic and beautiful and how could we have never noticed her? She bows her limbs and nods to us, acknowledging our admiration. Now because we are graced with time and solitude, our wonderful, magnificent, glorious friends are singing a symphony of color and scents and hailing us – SPRING IS HERE! HELLO SPRING! TRANSFORMATIONS MAY 2020 By Jean Tilker Discovering beauty in the midst of a crisis