At least it seems to be for all of the trees, vines, weeds, clover and thistle that has burst out blooming over the past few weeks.

Last spring this area had been through one of the driest winters ever and was still clearing the debris from Katrina. Also, the pine beetles had infested many, if not most, of the damaged southern pines. Even though the world turned greener last spring, the landscape was pocked with orange brown dead pines, piles and piles of broken trees, and the accumulated trash of homes that were being dismantled.

This spring follows a wet winter. The trees are sending buds and branches out in manic recovery from the insults of the past seasons. Branches that were broken now have 5 or 10 or 20 new shoots each with fresh green leaves. Pines that died are now being overgrown with jasmine, crossvine, muscadine and even poison ivy. I think the poison ivy is there to say to those who would try to cut down the tree trunks, "go ahead and try, I'll make you regret it." The under story is now thick with oak, maple, and tallow saplings. The southern pines that made it through the storm tower over all of this new growth, their needles a deep mature evergreen. Pines seem to be guarding all of this regreeneration below with the pride of a strong grandfather.

The metaphors are obvious to me as I drive and drive and drive to the activities of my family. The new growth is covering and recovering from the death of recent events. Sassy new and sometimes toxic vines are climbing up and over obstacles. Proud, old and experienced, the pines watch and guard what is happening under them.

Once again, nature is showing us the way. Rebirth is not just a slogan but a reality if only we take the time to see it happening in the trees and follow their examples.