By Treena Mielke Black Press
The good news is that spring is only a few snowstorms and icy roads away.
The bad news is that March, indeed, did come in like a lion and here we are caught, once again, in a seemingly endless cycle of snow and more snow.
For me, the other bad news is my driver’s license photo.
It had, apparently, been five years since I had renewed my driver’s license, though I was sure the date must be wrong.
Five years? It couldn’t be. Time is only supposed to fly when you’re having a good time.
And I would have to say that I certainly wasn’t having that good of a time.
But, apparently time moved on, regardless, and there it was, black and white proof that my license had, indeed, expired.
Dutifully, I went to the driver’s license renewal place and waited in line resolutely to get the dastardly deed done.
The lady behind the desk was efficient, but kind.
“Same address?” she questioned. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied.
“Umm, your hair colour is different,” she said, haltingly, gently. “Did you still want me to put down brown?”
“No,” I said, somewhat haughtily. “It’s obviously grey now. Sometimes it looks more brown though, when the bathroom light hits it just right,” I muttered.
She smiled, but said nothing.
I was sort of hoping she would say my hair was a lovely shade of grey, more silver really, or it brought out my eyes or the colour grey is really in now.
She did not.
“It’s much cheaper,” I added. “You know you don’t have to keep going to the hairdresser for touchups. It was probably grey five years ago,” I added unnecessarily.
She smiled again.
“Can I get a new picture?” I asked.
She said I could and I was happy. My picture of five years ago was horrible.
I was sure my picture this year would be much better. Five years ago I was stressed and I didn’t have make-up on.
Actually, today I was also stressed and didn’t have make-up on, but still I hoped for the best. I fluffed up my grey hair and smiled what I hoped was a sort of Mona Lisa smile
As it turned out the picture was equally horrible, maybe even more so, but I was too embarrassed to ask the lady if she could take about hundred or more so we could get a decent one.
“It’s fine,” I muttered.
Looking desperately for some good news I planted a lovely amaryllis bulb my girlfriend gave me for my birthday this morning.
The bulb, apparently, needs sunshine and moisture and it will turn into a beautiful flower.
It is true, hope springs eternal.
I pictured a beautiful amaryllis plant on the kitchen window over my sink. The visual was enough to make me throw the rest of the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down the counters and bring out a fresh, clean dishcloth.
Finally, I headed into the snowy morning to listen to news reporters from CBC chat about the weather and talk about how everyone was so tired of winter.
And I thought about March and how it has come in like a lion once again.
But, as the old saying goes, if it comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.
And so I picture the bulb I just planted turning into a beautiful flower and March trotting out, meek and mild, like a lamb and I feel better.
And for a moment I even forget about my driver’s license picture.
And I smile!