Just as the rare and beautiful dwarf lake iris blooms only for a short period of time in mid-May to early June, spring is here and gone in the blink of an eye.

I’m a spring baby, born in May. It’s a season of growth and renewal. A season of hope.

We look forward, all winter long, especially in Northern Michigan, to the day the snow melts and the trees and grass start to show signs of life again.

We think about starting fresh in the spring. We think about getting out and enjoying the milder weather by walking, running, biking, kayaking, or just sitting in the sun. Or even doing some gardening or yard work, if you’re feeling motivated.

In the last week of April, when I looked at my May calendar, I let out a very heavy sigh. It’s booked. It’s double booked. Some days are triple booked, and I’m not even kidding. Trying to be two places at once is obviously impossible, let alone three. We only have one child, and he’s in travel soccer, high school band, and driver’s training this month. So I’m trying to get him from one place to the next in between my appointments, and coordinating the next thing, and the next thing, and the next.

When life gets super busy, it’s easy to forget to look outside and enjoy the sunshine. It’s hard to take your foot off the gas pedal and just breathe. But, this month, I’m making a conscious effort to schedule in moments of attempted peace. I can’t guarantee that I will be at ease in the middle of the chaos, but I can try. I can get myself a nice matcha tea and go park at the harbor and just sit and stare out at Thunder Bay for 20 minutes, clearing my mind as I prepare for the next task. Being mindful is a huge part of a healthy life.

I don’t want to miss spring. I don’t want to scurry past the flowers that are begging me to look at them and praise the heavens for their beauty. I want to breathe in the spring breeze and feel alive. I don’t want to get so busy that I forget to be a human.

We are not task robots. We are living creatures, and we need to remember to commune with nature to restore our souls.

I can’t wait to get out on Thunder Bay River in my neon green kayak. She’s been waiting patiently for me all winter. I mustn’t let her down.

Perhaps you enjoy kayaking, as well. Or maybe you’re an angler, or a hiker, or a plein air artist. Whatever hobby suits you, I hope you are able to take those moments this spring to just breathe and bask in the wonder of nature. We’ve been hibernating long enough. Spring has the power to lift our spirits and remind us that there is hope for today and tomorrow.

Darby Hinkley can be found either typing frantically at the office, or rushing through the Starbucks drive-through on her way to the next big thing, but hopefully, she can also be found kayaking phoneless on the river on a serene spring day. Reach her by email at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com, or by phone at 989-358-5691.