All Over Albany

That's enough, March

Dearest March,

We can all agree that we live in uncertain times. So much now is odd or nonsensical, a parade of the real fake and the fake real. It's easy to feel like we're simultaneously doing too much and not enough.

So let us be clear: That's enough, March, that's enough.

Confused? That is understandable.

Winter has gotten weird lately. And this past season was no exception. February just... wasn't like February. Remember that 74 degree day we had? It was equal parts joyous and unsettling.

Then you came along, and maybe you decided someone had to restore balance. And when you looked around you realized that month had to be you. You were going to fix this -- even if no one specifically asked you to do so.

You were going to be colder than February. (And you were, by almost two degrees.) You were going to snow harder than the winter. (And, wow, did you ever.) You alone would hold off spring for another month. (And that's exactly what happened.)

There was a noble quality to this pursuit and it's likely you saved many a bud and blossom from a later freeze. The problem is that what may have started out as a good-faith effort to set things right is now starting to look like a crusade. Those indignant feelings that so motivated you to take action have curdled into cynicism and contempt. There's a sour, uncaring quality to your affect.

Just look at this weather now at the end of your 31. Slush and freezing temperatures with the threat of wet, heavy snow? Rationalize all you want, but that is simple trolling.

And judging from the forecast for next week, you've become a bad influence on April. That's not fair to anyone.

So, we're calling the end. You've done your part. You've done too much. Spring is out there, ready to burst forth, and we're not going to let you keep us from embracing it.

Accepting this fact will no doubt be hard for you because we haven't seen the flash of hope in you for some time, just an unrelenting gray cast. You seem weary. And we want you to know you don't have to carry the weight of all this yourself. There will be other winters and we can take them on together, whatever happens.

But now... now we need to renew ourself in spring. We need to release the tension in our shoulders, stand tall, breathe deep, and feel the sun on our face.

Picture that scene in your mind. It's a beautiful sight.

Farewell.