The month of expectation
I took this photo on my daily walk to the river, March 27, 2025
“March is the Month of Expectation.
The things we do not know – …” —Emily Dickinson
In springtime, we rejoice in what we do know, or have reason to expect: the reflowering of blooming trees and annuals, the lengthening of daylight, the gradual warming and the sheer delight of those first mild, sunny days. Until reading Dickinson’s, poem, though, I couldn’t remember thinking of March as a month of expectation. But on reflection, I think she is right.
For most of us, spring brings a renewal of hope. We may be emerging from a season of intense grief, or simply weary of the chill of winter. But it’s a rare soul who can be unmoved by the awakening of a new cycle of nature’s growth.
I suspect that the resurgence of the plants and animals is a parallel to what happens to humans. We too feel a sense of expectation, alert to the possibility of new blooms that may spring up within us. We diligently tend the existing growth of our inner gardens, carefully weeding out what is harmful to balanced harmony.
Many of us have learned, not without reason, to be fearful of the things we do not know. But I’ve come to realize that ignorance of what lies ahead can be a great blessing. And there are always enough delightful surprises to keep us looking forward with anticipation. I wish you a springtime filled with “unknown blessings already on the way.”
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- Tagged: animals, appreciation, beauty, blooms, cherry blossoms, daffodils, dawn, daylight, discovery, engagement, flowers, focus, gardening, gratitude, home, light, nature, Okame, seasons
Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia! What a pretty sight those flowing trees are! What sort of trees are on the street-side of the sidewalk? It looks like they bloom a little later? Yesterday was unseasonably warm here and I took my cat out to play in the yard. He had specific spots around the yard that he likes to check for new smells, so we take a pretty thorough tour of the yard. Several of the small trees that i planted last year had been cleaned of all branches by the deer and other animals that forage during the winter, but others were somehow overlooked (a red pine and one cedar) and still had their foliage. The Japanese maple i planted last year lost all of it’s branch tips, so we will have to see if it survives. Everything needs water, but we’re expecting almost an inch of rain today.
I love your early spring (early from my perspective) photos. They remind me of what will eventually be coming to Minnesota. At some point, we’ll have flowers and new greenery, too.
Hi Susan! Spring seemed to arrive late this year, but looking back at my photos from the past few years, it was only a week or two later, at most. It seemed longer! Those winter days can drag on when we’re eager for warmth and sunshine! The trees in the photo that grow along the street do not flower; they’ll be covered with green soon. It’s interesting to me that the spring flowering trees and vines never seem to get leaves until they bloom first. At least the ones I’m accustomed to seem to grow that way. I’ve never had any luck with getting my Japanese maples to grow, so I quit planting the seedlings. We’re having a rainy day today. Seems like we’ve had less rain this year, too, but it could be my imagination. I decided I need to keep a gardening journal, but I have so many good intentions of things I “ought” to do that I’m not sure I’ll get to it…
Hi Julia,
Of the four seasons, Spring is certainly the season of renewal. Here’s another similar view on Spring I read this morning in the UR devotional.
https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/blog-posts/3021
Blessings to you and Matt!
Thank you, Chris. I especially liked the author’s point that we need tidy up inside our minds as well as outside in the garden!
I like the thought of tidying up our minds as well as outside in our gardens. I find tidying up my mind needs attention as regularly as my garden. I read that in the UR as well. I’m leaving Florida soon and looking forward to planting my box garden in Ohio. Thank you for the great blessing that your writings and photography are to me. Love and blessings to you and Matt. 🌸🥀💐🌷
Hi Rosalie, so nice to see you here. Are you able to spend all your winters in Florida? I’ve dreamed of doing that but couldn’t manage it at this point, so I try to plan visits there. I hope your Ohio garden will be full of beautiful blooms! Just like the ones with which you have decorated your comment. And thank you for your encouragement about the blog. I so appreciate your presence here!