As a little girl, I remember how anxious I was for Spring Break to arrive. Not only did it signal a pause from the everyday monotony of going to school, it meant sunshine on my face, bare feet, and the chance to run around with nothing much to do.

What could be better?

The best part about growing up on an old farm with acres of land to explore, was that adventure lay just outside my doorstep…that is, as long as my Grandpa (Pappy) would set us free. Sometimes he would get worried when we would disappear down the creeks, up over the hill, or through the woods. We never understood why. What could happen? It’s just wide, open, magical space? And then, always too quickly, after two beautiful weeks of break, back to school we went for 2 more months.

Each Spring I still feel it….almost as if the freshness in the air sweeps in and intoxicates my senses, forcing me to pause from daily tasks. I start dreaming of time out in the yard tending to my flowers, taking the kids exploring, and lazy family picnics in the park. Every year it’s the same….Spring brings its magic and rebirth once again, and we’re all reminded of simplicity, beauty, and a sense of adventure that awaits-perhaps just outside our doorstep.

And so today we have a to-do list that’s a pile high over here: laundry, housework, papers for the kids to write, Latin to study, clothes to switch out in rooms, emails to write, albums to design….and on, and on. But, we’re packing up our school books this morning and driving 15 minutes up the road to my house where I grew up. I’ll visit the magnolia tree that I climbed with my brother, and share with the kids that sometimes the smallest and most simple things in life can sometimes be the most special. Hang on to those. Today, we’ll spread out our blanket, and do our schoolwork with the sun on our faces.

Because truly, what could be better?