JOYous spring has sprung in our backyard, and I am amazed at the sights and sounds of my surroundings.

The weather’s been beautiful the last couple of weeks. I’ve spent time in the patio lounging in my comfy chair. The rush of the water, as it falls from the upper pool into the pond, is music to my ears. When I close my eyes, I almost imagine I’m next to a flowing stream. The creek seems to rumble through rocks and tree debris. I hear fish plop into the water as they move from pool to pool in the imagined gurgling stream.

One of my favorite things to observe in my little corner of the world is the birds when they take daily baths. They love to clean themselves at the top of the waterfall. They first dip their tiny heads into the cool liquid and before long, drops of water fling through the air as wings flap and tails flit. I’m fascinated with these JOYful creatures.

Various fowl congregates in our backyard, more so than in the neighbor’s yard. I’m certain it’s because of the waterfall and pond. On the other hand, it might be because of the little tidbits of food we leave in numerous feeders we’ve collected on our travels. Their chirps of JOY resonate in our ordinarily quiet space.

Our dogs, Wing Man and Gracie, love to be among their feathered friends. When I let them out of the house, the first thing they do is run toward the bird feeders. If I hear the successive barks of my cocker spaniels and high-pitched chatter of the birds, I know the dogs successfully chased the little flying creatures to someone else’s yard.

But I think the sight I am most blessed by this spring is the blossoms on our orchids. The plants that have been flower-free for many years decided to bloom a few weeks ago. The fuchsia, pink, and white orchids take my breath away. My cup runneth over with JOY.

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You may wonder why the orchids bless me so much at this time of the year. In the early 1980’s, my husband lost both of his parents in a small plane crash. When we cleaned out their home after their deaths, we brought his mother’s orchids to San Diego.

She was blessed with an exceptional green thumb, and never a year went by without blossoms. When we transported them to our yard, however, they flowered for only a short time. Although they rarely bloomed throughout the years, Don’s patience and inherited green thumb managed to keep the plants alive.

April first marks thirty-four years since we lost Don’s incredible parents. Their lives carry on through sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The flourishing orchids and memories of my husband’s folks continue to bring us JOY. We are blessed beyond measure.

Surround yourself with unexpected JOY this spring, my friend.