The weather was beautiful on my last trip to Oakwood Cemetery. Well…it was beautiful for a February day in Syracuse, NY. The temperature was in the low forties, practically shorts weather compared to the negatives we experienced last weekend. I revel in the sunshine that is gracing the tops of the trees. I allow myself to see hope at the end of this dark tunnel: could spring be approaching? The squirrels that scamper out from a tree, chasing each other across my path suggest that spring is indeed nearly here. The whole cemetery, ironically, seems more alive.

The nice weather shifts my entire perception of this place. During the cold weather I dreaded bundling up to slosh my way through snow and ice to the cemetery, enduring bitter cold the whole way there. Having grown up in the blistering heat and sunshine of Central Florida, my body is not built for the cold Syracuse suffers each winter. But this weather I can enjoy. The wind seems friendlier today, the sky brighter and happier, the grass a little greener.

I’m not the only one enjoying this glimpse of spring. I encounter more squirrels during my walk and I hear birds calling to each other in the distance. I even meet other people as I stroll. It’s nice to see people out appreciating nature again. Winter often confines people indoors, which can be agitating to be cooped up. I again think back to Henry David Thoreau who said, “I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least—and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.”

            As I leave the cemetery, I feel refreshed. My stroll through nature has revived and refreshed me. It has excited me for all of the outdoor activities I can enjoy in spring and summer. Smiling, I cannot wait for my next return trip.