A Fresh Start: Embracing Spring Amidst Pandemic Challenges
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Chapter 1: The Arrival of Spring
As winter fades, I find myself yearning for vibrant colors to lift the gloom of the dreary, cold days brought on by the pandemic.
“Floss Flowers and Marigolds” Photograph by the Author
In my fourteen years at this home, now shared with my backyard chickens, the delicate floss flowers have always graced my garden. Their light lavender, near-periwinkle blossoms self-seed every year, pairing beautifully with the marigolds I plant. These flowers are the last vibrant blooms of autumn in my coastal Virginia garden.
As I sit here, the morning light is still muted. Soon, I’ll hear the alarm, brew some coffee, and prepare a breakfast salad for my six lovely chickens. They bring such joy to my life, and despite the passage of time, they remain my steadfast companions.
At this early hour, it’s still too dark for them to navigate the chicken ladder, so I gently lift each one from their perch, giving them a little kiss as I help them down. Emily, the smallest, is always first, eager to get to her breakfast. Then comes Amelia, who loves to be cradled in my arms and has captured my heart. The others follow suit as the sun begins to rise.
Together, we’ll offer our morning gratitude for the safety of this new day before I head off to work.
Section 1.1: Changes in the Workplace
In just two weeks, I will be the last person in our office suite, which has been shared with another department for years. I learned yesterday that they will be relocating to a different building. Since the onset of the pandemic, everyone from my department has been working remotely.
The model of working from home has become the norm and will persist even when the pandemic is behind us. Unfortunately, I lack a home computer or WiFi, making remote work impossible for me. Perhaps that’s for the best, as I would likely be too distracted by my chickens and garden.
Someone needs to be present to manage incoming mail and faxes, sorting and sending them electronically to those working from home. These tasks have now become part of my responsibilities.
Subsection 1.1.1: A Solitary Office Experience
In just a fortnight, I will find myself alone in the expansive office suite. For the first time in my career, I will have deeper connections to the lives around me in my own backyard than to those in the workplace.
Isn’t it strange how this news has affected me so deeply? Perhaps it’s still too soon to seek out that first flower of spring.
Section 1.2: The Anticipation of New Beginnings
As I navigate these changes, I wonder if I can keep my promise to include the word “chicken” in every Medium story. To discover more, consider subscribing to Medium as a reader or writer—perhaps both!
Chapter 2: Embracing Early Blooms
As spring approaches, I reflect on the flowers that bring life to my garden.
The video "15 Perennials for Spring Blooms & Early Season Color!" showcases beautiful flowers that thrive during this season, reminding us of the beauty and color that spring brings after a long winter.