About this time of year, it's easy to catch spring fever, and especially so when last week's record snows and cold have given way to sunshine and spring-like temperatures. But I've made up my mind not to rush things this year. If more cold - or even more snow - come later this month or in March, I'm not going to complain or wish I could fast-forward to spring and warm weather.

Why not? Well, I used toget anxious for April and May to arrive about mid-February. After-all, who needs those cold winds of late February and March when the warm days of late April and May are just around the corner! But then I start thinking about how fast the years fly by and the fact that the time I have here in this world is probably at least threequarters of the way spent. If I wish to fast-forward to spring, I'm skipping out on days and hours God hasgiven me to live - even if it may be cold outside and the snow may reach just a few inches shy of my waist.

Though not quite the same, I remember the words of a youth minister back in the days when I was a youth. He said he worked with so many people who, all week long, said they just couldn't wait for the weekend to arrive.

“I'm not going to wish away my life,” he said, calling each day a gift of God and a day to be lived for His glory.

Instead of wishing it was spring during the cold days of winter, or wishing fall would hurry up and arrive during the hot days of summer, I figure it would be a lot smarter to just regardeach day as a gift and enjoy it, whether cold outside, or hot. The seasons and years pass quickly enough without wishing I could speed up the clock.

The same is true of putting off doing things one enjoys until later because of weather - or a host of other excuses. A number of times, I found myself putting off outings with a camera until those spring greens or fall reds arrive only to miss many opportunities to do what I enjoy. And when I have gone, even on days which seemed less than ideal, I've always found interesting new things to photograph. After all, that perfect day or perfect time to do this or that may just never come, so it's a lot wiser to makefull use of every day and every time.

Anyway, this philosophy has helped a lot with the winter weather, even if a part of me would welcome the warm afternoon breezes and the chirping of frogs in the night. In fact, instead of staying inside and waiting for warm weather, I spent a considerable amount of time outdoors in the cold and the snow enjoying each day and going about my work. Shoveling snow kept me warm and, once I managed to find my little car and get out and about, the countryside was beautiful. As an added benefit, I didn't get bit by a single mosquito or chigger the whole time I was outdoors - there are benefits to the bitter cold.

So, if the snow all melts away and the weather stays warm and nice, I won't complain. But, on the other hand, if the remaining weeks of winter bring more snow and cold - even if the snow can once again be measured in feet instead of inches - I'll take that too and enjoy each day and its challenges.

Spring will get here soon enough without giving up any of the days of winter. Life, too, passes quickly enough without wishing away any of the days or times God has given us here to live for Him.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll@nwaonline .com.

Opinion, Pages 8 on 02/16/2011