Nature’s Renewal

It’s been a tough week.  I said goodbye to my beloved cat Sweep last Monday after nearly 17 years of love and companionship.  I’d known for some time that my time with her was limited but nothing quite prepares you for the profound sadness that overcomes you when the time finally comes to say goodbye.

Nature as always comes to the rescue. Yesterday was a beautiful Spring morning so I took myself out on a local walk to clear my head and try to lift my spirits.

I was only out just over an hour but I’m so glad I had made the decision to head out. Spring had definitely arrived, the birdsong was wonderful and so soothing, I heard my first Chiffchaff of the year and the gorse with its golden flowers was in full bloom with a honey bee spotted enjoying the early nectar.

So many birds were preparing for a busy nesting season, the swans were busy nest building on the canal bank and I glimpsed a long-tailed tit disappear into a gorse bush with a feather in its beak.

Many of our hedgerow favourites were also bursting into life, a particular favourite of mine is the Blackthorn with its delicate flowers, which will develop into ripe sloe berries come the Autumn.

It was good to be out, for a short time it took my mind off the sadness of the week and reminded me of why I love nature so much. Nature is my medicine to get me through tough times, a guaranteed fix and it certainly was uplifting to see nature busying itself with the process of renewal, a reminder that whatever happens, life goes on and those things precious to us live on in our hearts and minds.

Happy Spring everyone.

Dedicated to the memory of my beautiful Sweep 17/5/07-11/3/24