Spring Has Sprung!

The vernal equinox is today and in Japan it is a national holiday (shunbun no hi)! It was established in 1948 as a day for the admiration of nature and the love of living things. Prior to 1948, the vernal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival. Today, graves are still visited during this week and people pay their respects to their ancestors. Obviously, this has taken on a whole new meaning as Japan continues to navigate its way though this heart-wrenching disaster. But the Japanese people are so incredible - I am in awe of their grace, strength, resiliency and refusal to give in to self pity and selfishness. I imagine that this week many Japanese will continue with the tradition of visiting their ancestral graves and honoring those who have passed. I hope that they will draw stength and hope from the promise of renewal and rebirth that spring brings.

For my part, I love everything about the emergence of spring. There are signs of it everywhere! Perhaps this is nature heaving a sigh of relief?