Today brought news I didn’t expect. But instead of sitting in loss, I’m choosing to look ahead. It’s the last day of February — and March is waiting. March in the Midwest is not to be taken for granted — and anyone who has lived through it knows that.
The Reality of March In The Midwest
In February, you expect cold. So when the warm days sneak in, they feel like a bonus.
But March in the Midwest? It’ll give you sunshine at noon and frostbite wind by 3:00 p.m. — doesn’t matter if you’re in Chicago, Michigan, or Indiana.
Yesterday it was 60 degrees.
Shorts. T-shirts. House windows open. Patio doors and sunroofs, too.
Folks outside like it was opening day at the beach.
Today February snapped us back to reality.
It was 33 degrees and windy. Coats zipped up. Boots back out.
The wind — “the hawk,” if you know, you know — reminding us who’s really in charge.
Snow boots in the trunk. Sunglasses in your purse.
Winter coats still hanging by the door — because we’re not new to this, we’re true to this. That’s March in the Midwest.
It’s resilience.
It’s transition.
It’s checking the weather three times and still being wrong.
March in the Midwest is the doorway.
Not quite winter. Not fully spring.
Just the Midwest doing what the Midwest does.
Signs Spring Is Coming In The Midwest
And somewhere in the middle of all that… the robins show up.
I know everybody talks about the groundhog and whether or not he saw his shadow — I just look for the robins.
Now listen — I love all birds.
But in the Midwest, robins mean spring is close. They also mean worms… which we’ve already established are not my ministry. Have you ever seen a robin perched up high with that jiggly little meal hanging from its beak? I need to see it for spring… and I’m horrified at the same time. 😶😂 That’s how I know spring is really here.
Because spring in the Midwest hits different. The sun feels earned. The air feels lighter. People linger outside just a little longer. You see folks walking like we all survived something — because we did.
March in the Midwest teaches you something about starting over. Every day is a chance to begin again.
But Spring here? It feels official. It’s renewal. It’s quiet hope pushing through cold ground. It’s proof that even after gray skies, heavy coats, and long winters — life keeps on lifing.
After Spring comes Summer. And if you know a Midwest Summer… you know why we hold on. It’s worth it and so are we — and we know it. 😊🔆
dragonflies & honey
simple goods for the spirit.
