Recently, someone posted a picture of a blooming dandelion on their Facebook page. Just days after the biggest snow in recent history melted away, the bright yellow blossom of even a lowly weed was appreciated.

If this is any indication, we will really cheer when spring actually arrives and renews the earth around us with an array of flowers, green leaves and fresh grass, not to mention days filled with bone-warming sunshine.

One thing wintertime does here in Arkansas is to temporarily take away much of the color that adds to the natural beauty that surrounds us during the other three seasons.This phase of the cycle is for nature’s benefit, of course, but I think it serves us well also. Having four distinct seasons of the year is one of my favorite things about living in this area. I guess you could argue that someplace like Maui with “perfect” weather every day would be better in some ways, but I think having everything look thesame day in and day out might become somewhat humdrum. Monotonous weather is not a worry here in Arkansas.

My point is this: We most usually enjoy and appreciate things more if we have to do without them for a while. I’m good with that. Think about how exciting it feels to get the electricity or running water back on if service is interrupted for a time. It is so easy for us to take things we always have for granted. Not that the winter season doesn’t have value and beauty of its own, but personally, a big benefit of the cold is that it makes me grateful for the changes that come next.

I know I am partial but not alone in feeling blessed with the abundance of year-round beauty during any season here in the Natural State. However, welose some of the benefits when we forget to appreciate them.

That is a lesson I learned years ago as a teenager growing up in Madison County. I saw things in a different light afterspending some time with visitors that came from another region of the country. They were so enthusiastic about our green hills covered with trees and grass. This was quite different than the landscape they were used to and it was as though they couldn’t get over the beauty of it. Being a native of the area and having never lived anyplace else, I had definitely taken my surroundings for granted. However, their enthusiasm was contagious and served to change my outlook from that point forward. That seed planted years ago continues to grow, and I have never gotten over their influence.

Yes, I am ready for spring and all that comes with it but, meanwhile, there is still much to appreciate. What we see depends quite a lot on what we’re looking for and I, for one, am determined to see the beauty of our natural state during all four seasons. But I am also keeping an eye out for the next flower to bloom, no matter what it is!

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 03/02/2011