I am beginning to see friends in Michigan celebrate, as they come out to greet the Spring.
When I think of springtime, in Michigan, I always think mostly of the transition period between winter and spring, when the maple sap starts flowing.
My grandfather would harvest vast amounts of sap each year, from the maple trees around his yard, in Alaska, Michigan.
He would collect this sap, take it to the Quonset hut, and begin the long, tedious process of boiling down the sap. It would take 14 40 gallons of sap, to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
I have very fond memories of helping my grandfather collect the sap, and staring in wonder as the sap boiled over the hot wood fire. This was also the place where my grandfather would sneak cigarettes. I was always given a stern warning, "don't you tell your grandmother!"
My grandfather is long gone. It has been a very long time since I have enjoyed grandmother's home-made waffles, with grandfather's home-made maple syrup.
I wonder, will there be maple trees, and maple syrup in heaven?
