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Today, the Sun Came Out to Play...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

spring magnolia blossoms

 

Today, the sun came out to play!  Lately, it's been hiding away. In it's place, the clouds have had full sway. Drenching us with showers and occassionally startling me with a loud burst of thunder illuminated by brilliant crackles of lightning.

And, it is at precisely within this dark backdrop that my attention is captured by two flowering trees in the yard; in particular a magnolia tree plump with juicy pink blossoms.  As if to say, 'I'm not worried about a little drama, it's time to strut my stuff!'

Sometimes strong storms visit West Michigan during the transition between winter and spring when the earth begins to resist the blanket of snow which has buried it for several months. The visitation of these strong winds has been known to topple even electrical poles as the rain melts what is left of the lingering snow.

At first, the grass barely yawns.  It is haggard and brown, a condition reflected in trees with lifeless branches.  But then something odd begins to appear.  As the first storms drench the earth, the hardiest of plants begin to emerge...spring flowers like the daffodils.  Have you noticed how incredibly bright these hardy souls are?

We can learn a lot from the first signs of spring.  Lessons which are increasingly valuable in the times in which we live.  One lesson which stands out to me is that storms are inevitable.  And they are necessary.  When the rain splatters against a hardened earth, the softening begins to make way for the shoots buried just underground.  The strokes of lightning like a paint brush, transforms the dull grey to a brilliant green lush canvas.

I see my magnolia.  Her arms reach towards the sky, confident that the sun will appear again. She is unafraid of the harshness of the circumstance.  Instead, she chooses to launch out with confidence, her branches revealing a beauty which transcends the atmosphere raging around her.  And with time, the sun does re-emerge.  But, she doesn't skip a beat. Now her blossoms open in wide embrace as if to say, "I knew you'd be back!"

Copyright 2009  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Comments(29)

Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Suma, thanks for stopping by.  We were in Chicago for a very short visit several weeks ago.  I truly appreciate why it's called the windy city!  

Apr 28, 2009 10:53 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Gary, that's the message I got.  Storms are as much a part of life as the sunshine.  It's our response which makes all the difference in the world.

Apr 28, 2009 10:55 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Lenn, sounds like we're a few weeks behind you.  Do you have cherry blossoms in your area.  Many years ago, I was in DC around the time when the cherry blossoms come out.  It was wonderful!  Tulips are peeking out over here too...in May, we have a celebration in Holland, MI for about a million of them. :)

Apr 28, 2009 10:57 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

TLW, storms do tend to force change.  Being childlike is actually a pretty powerful thing.  From my observation, children seem to be some of the most resilient people on the planet...and often the most forgiving don't you think?

Apr 28, 2009 11:00 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Joe, what a charming compliment.  I'm so glad that you enjoyed this experience through my blog post today.

Apr 28, 2009 11:01 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

George...interesting thought.  Storms can be brutally painful.  But that type of experience does tend to sharpen the senses and deliver a wisdom which would not have been present otherwise.  Thank you for sharing your insight.

Apr 28, 2009 11:03 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Lola...

Yes I do think. Of course I only do that when it's completely necessary. When I am not busy thinking, I am playing with my toy soldiers :)

TLW...ROAR!

Apr 28, 2009 11:06 AM
Mark MacKenzie
Phoenix, AZ

Lola, great post, but even more, you are an incredible writer.  You have an amazing ability to paint pictures with your words. :)

Apr 28, 2009 12:30 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow this was like reading a beautiful poem!  After a long day I came back to the office and what a nice suprise to read something your post.  And I love the picure......beautiful.  Storms help us grow and clean out the old.  All good.

Apr 28, 2009 12:43 PM
Margaret Mitchell
Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty - York, ME
Seacoast Maine & NH Real Estate

After this long cold snowy winter, spring is especially sweet.  You painted a picture with words.

Apr 28, 2009 12:43 PM
Kathy Toth
Ann Arbor Market Center Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts - Kathy Toth Team

I agree with all those above...it would appear that you could write about anything and make it seem like we all missed something by not being there.

Apr 28, 2009 12:54 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

TLW...:)  

Charles, thanks for your comment.

Mark, appreciate your kind compliment.  Glad you enjoyed the post.

Ana...Thank you. The beginning sort of sounded like a rhyme didn't it?  Not intended, but I'm glad you like the post.

Margaret...Thanks.

Apr 28, 2009 12:56 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Kathy...your comment made me laugh out loud.  Thank you.

Apr 28, 2009 12:57 PM
Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Lola - You write beautifully!  I enjoy your posts.  Thanks!

Mary

Apr 28, 2009 12:58 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Lola -- I absolutely love magnolias.  I have one in my yard and it's been amazing this past week.

Apr 28, 2009 01:12 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Very well written.  What was your major in college??  Loved the post. So descriptive and flowing.

Apr 28, 2009 01:28 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Mary, appreciate your comment.

Chris, they're some of my favorite flowers too along with roses. 

Judi...believe it or not, it was a double major in Nutrition/Dietetics & Food Service Management with an emphasis in Business.  

Apr 28, 2009 02:15 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I remember why we go through the Winters in Michigan. Spring is so spectacular. Thanks for the photo/

Apr 28, 2009 03:33 PM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Lola,

This was beautiful to read from beginning to end.  It just flowed and I imagined myself outside looking at my trees and hardy plants that are doing the same thing now.  The storms are a necessary natural process and the junk can be weeded out to provide a landscape worth taking a moment and being proud of.

Apr 29, 2009 05:27 AM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

LOLA

Spring is most inspiring and you have captured it beautifully in this post. 

We sure could use some rain here in Florida- under the blistering relentless sun our poor plants are struggling to remember what Spring is really supposed to feel like.

May 07, 2009 10:21 PM