Finally, the winter's weather is warming up in Minnesota. The temperatures are above freezing as the snow begins to melt away the cold days.

I can now anticipate that spring will arrive this year. It took all winter to realize such a time would come.

For almost six months, I counted the days until the warmth of spring would surmount the memories of the freezing chill on my face. Soon, I will remember what summer felt like a year ago.

Yes, now is the time we begin planning our activities for the upcoming months of April, May, June, July and August. Of course, we will live in the outdoors. We will try to soak up every ray of sunshine by extending our waking hours into the starlit nights of summer, which are warmer then most days in the winter.

Was this winter longer than the last one? As I recall, I thought that a year ago. On the other hand, could it be I had dreamt of a longer summer when fall cooled my thwarted plans?

It is hard to tell, anymore. I have had so many seasons to enjoy and remember in my lifetime. Seasons of joy, happiness and warmth no matter what the weather might be. Therefore, it is not the cold I dislike it is the lack of fresh spring air that I yearn for knowing that summer will come again.

I promise myself I will warm my heart with more memories this summer than ever before, knowing that the next winter will leave me longing for another time.

Redmond Herring, 2014