Boi-oi-oi-oinggg! Has spring sprung?

The eternal optimist in me manifests itself in my head as an annoying squeaky little voice, much like the voices of any of the chipmunks from Alvin and the Chipmunks. If you don’t get that reference, you’re young. Put this newspaper down and go outside to get some sun, it’s better for you than listening to me, I assure you. If you are too young to get it, pretend I said it’s like the voice you hear when you swallow helium and speak. If you have never swallowed helium and spoken, put this newspaper down, go buy a helium balloon and get to swallowing, it’s hilarious.

Now that we are all on the same page, imagine that stupid voice in your own head. Does it make you want to spit up or squish a kitten? Yep, that’s the one.

I heard that voice today when I stepped outside into the warm sunlight.

“SPRING!,” it squeaked, “Spring has sprung!” Pfffftttt........shut up, voice, it’s probably going to snow tomorrow, this is Indiana.

But then I saw it. A pale lavender bloom bobbing from a neighbor’s tree, wafting it’s sweet nose-tickling perfume my way.

A lilac bush just beginning to bloom.

Inner, grouchy me refused to give in, remembering the ridiculous foot of snow on the ground just three weeks ago, the day I returned to Indiana.

“Shaddup, you lily-livered squeak-voiced simp,” I muttered. But then I looked again, and it was still there before my eyes and up my nose.

Sometimes, no matter how much grouchy you wants to prevail, spring springs and proves you wrong. Smile.