I am writing this while in recovery mode from shoveling the “4-6” inches (more like 16-17) that fell in the latest storm. Although I was getting hopeful I guess this storm proves that Winter is not yet over.
Just last Sunday I spent some time cleaning out my garage while doing some initial preparations for Passover, and as I did so I was looking outside and thinking of Spring that I felt was literally around the corner. I love each of the seasons for different reasons, but Spring and Summer are definitely my favorites, as I love the blooms, the abundant richness of growth that we find in the beautiful nature around us, and the sunshine and warmth that comes with these seasons.
Passover is meant to be in the Spring, so that first cleaning last Sunday combined with the first patches of my lawn that could be seen after weeks of being covered by snow, got me excited that Spring was almost here. But alas, just days later, the snow is back and with a vengeance, it’s almost like the snow is telling us I will get you one more time before I leave, and I will leave one more big mess and keep you busy cleaning up and dealing with the cold for a few more days.
All too often, I find the same story happens in our own lives, when we feel we are turning the corner and things are just beginning to go well and make progress, or we are finally overcoming a particular hurdle, and then, wham, we get hit hard from the side, front or wherever and our progress or growth seems like its undermined or blocked. As I look at what is going on outside today with the weather, it reminds me of the same story and the challenges in life that we always seem to encounter. Yet at the same time it reminds me of what comes after this, it reminds me that despite all the storms, cold, frost and snow, those trees and plants will be blooming once again in just several weeks. What looks dead today, will be sprouting beautiful vegetation in just several weeks.
Passover is around the corner, and Passover is in the Spring precisely because it reminds us of the hope and salvation that can come even when all looks broken, dead, or hopeless. Passover reminds us of the beauty of freedom that comes after suffering, Passover reminds us of the beauty of purpose after years of not having purpose, and Passover reminds us of the unique ability that G-d has endowed us with, to break out of our limitations and obstacles that we face in life, and move forward and succeed.
This Shabbos we bless the month of Nissan the month of Passover, which means Spring is truly around the corner. The Winter may not be done, and I still have some more opportunities to play with my kids in the snow, but the excitement and empowerment that Passover provides us is in the air and around the corner despite all the snow that is now on the ground outside.