By Rebekah Yancey 

I have buttercups blooming in my flowerbed. My husband said those pretty yellow flowers are the first sign of spring, and while I don’t have much hope for that – seeing as we still have the frigid month of February to endure – maybe the flowers know better. I have my icy blue fingers crossed.  

Isn’t it strange how every other day has seemed to change by 20-30 degrees? You’d think I would be used to the crazy Alabama weather by now, since I’ve lived in Alabama for more than half my life – and the first half was spent in Georgia and Tennessee, which I think is probably very similar.  

I’m not a fan of the bitter cold of the shortest month of the year.  

Even so, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…”  

Without the cold, can you imagine how big the mosquitos in Alabama would get? When would we drink hot chocolate and wear lots of layers? And without Groundhog Day, the classic movie by the same name wouldn’t exist, and that alone is worth suffering through some chilly temps.  

As I’ve written several times before, I have a couple of things to look forward to this spring – in addition to the nicer weather. I’m sure our families welcoming two babies into the world in just a few months has a little something to do with my readiness for spring.  

Still, it’s not a great habit to wish your life away and speed through all the good that is happening in the here and now. It’s okay to slow down and enjoy that cup of hot chocolate on a cold day.  

I think I’ll do that soon – and maybe look at the pretty yellow buttercups blooming in my flowerbed.