Spring Brings a New Beginning, a Fresh Start, a New Life With my Daughter

There used to be a popular expression a few years ago: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

To be honest with you, I used to think, "Of course it is. What else would it be?"
Obviously, back then I didn't get the deeper meaning.

Spring is a miraculous time of new beginnings and new life. Don't you think so? I love this time of year for so many reasons. Everywhere you look there are signs of new life, from budding flowers to greener grass. Birds are singing, squirrels are playing, and the skies are bluer. How amazing is God's creation?

This is the time of year I start itching to learn something new or take up a new hobby or begin redecorating. I actually love coloring and hiding Easter eggs, but my son is grown and he and his wife won't be with us this year.

That being said, I've seen some very interesting ways to color eggs in some recent Facebook posts, but then I whined about how much I miss all the fun and traditional Easter things I did as a child with my Mom and then again with my son as he was growing up. Someone even commented, "Why? Just go ahead and color some eggs."

I thought, "I don't have time this year, but next year, I'm going back to the old traditions."

But tonight, after getting home late from a very busy day, I decided to put the brakes on to color some eggs.

I wanted to try one of the "recipes" I had seen posted on Facebook using Cool Whip, but I couldn't find it, so I Googled it. Luckily for me, I found it and I'm happy to say it is NOT a fail!

I boiled the eggs, let them cool down, and got right to it by following the blog spendwithpennies.com. http://www.spendwithpennies.com/whipped-cream-dyed-eggs-safer-alternative-shaving-cream-eggs/

This is a very different way to color eggs; almost like finger-painting. All it takes is your boiled eggs, a container of Cool Whip, some white vinegar, gel food coloring, and a cookie sheet or baking dish. After you finish reading this, open the link above and follow the instructions.

I think you and your family will enjoy it.

Cute, right? Click on the photo so it enlarges. You can see it much better that way.

Easter represents a time of new beginnings; an opportunity to make the "rest of your life the best of your life." I'm finding this start of Spring to be particularly enlightening as I begin a more accepting relationship with my daughter whom I gave up for adoption in 1971.

Since being united, my daughter and I have struggled with our differences.

Today, things are different.
I'm learning who she is and what brought her to this place.
She's learning who I am and what brought me to this place.

At this time of year, in order for the new growth to begin on our shrubs and trees, we have to get out the pruning shears and snip some of the dead branches off. In some ways and for many years, I have felt as though I needed to be pruned. In order to step into this new life with my daughter, I have to prune back -- let go.

Together, we are about to make the rest of our lives the best of our lives. And whatever regrets we have or mistakes we made - they are yesterday. We can have a fresh start today.

I love you Daddy and Mom. I wish you were here to be a part of this special day.