SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!!!!!
Everywhere one looks, there are signs of Spring!!! The snow is receding, days are lengthening, temperatures are rising, song birds are singing, children are riding bicycles, folks are out walking or jogging, golfers are heading for the fare ways, motorcyclist are cruising the streets, auto enthusiast are showing off their classics and many funeral directors are once again planning interments.
Did I forget to mention “Mud Season”???? Yes, the time of year when our picturesque country roads turn into a quagmire of muck several inches deep. There are times when even the skilled driver with the most powerful 4x4 is challenged when plowing through the river of mud, straddling the ruts and dodging the pot holes.
Throughout the state, many Vermonters are busy “Sugaring”, a tradition that has been carried on for generations. Once again the veins of the mighty old maples are being tapped, to extract the sweet nectar which flows from within and then transformed into pure maple syrup, also known as “Liquid Gold”. Within a few weeks, trees will begin to bud, giving way to tiny leaves, when mature, will shade us from the sweltering heat of summer.
Before long, the spring air will be filled with a sweet aroma as farmers fertilize and till the precious earth, prior to sowing tiny grains of seed that will multiply a hundred fold, thus transforming barren fields into lush carpets of green. Once harvested, these bounties will be used to nourish both man and beast. Spring is also a time when farmers mend fences prior to turning their herds out to graze.
Speaking of mending fences, perhaps spring would be an ideal time for the Vermont Funeral Directors Association to visit with the various consumer groups, exploring ways to form a better relationship. Over the years, there have been many articles published by the newspapers and televised by the media pitting the funeral profession against the consumer organizations. The latest was a featured story that appeared in the “Burlington Free Press” January 17th authored by Sam Hemmingway. Whenever this occurs, I immediately think of the legendary Hatfields and McCoys, the American folklore that has become a metaphor for bitterly feuding rivals. If both the VFDA and the consumer organizations could work a compromise, whereby each party would speak positively of each other, there would be no news stories to raise any suspicion from the audience!!!!!! The word spring has several connotations, one being a seasonal change between winter and summer, but also means to move forward. I believe now is the time to forge ahead and mend the fence!!!!
This is my perspective, what is yours?
