The crocuses are blooming in our front garden.

That little flower couldn't have shown up at a more perfect time.

Sitting through years of Sunday school, church services, Bible studies, and even not-so-focused-on-religion philosophy classes didn't do for me what that crocus above just did.

Whatever the padre says, whatever the philosopher muses, whatever anyone tells you...

Life is the lesson.

It's a harsh lesson, an unfair lesson at times, an uncaring one--but you don't need a Bible verse to tell you that after a brutal and dismal winter (thank goodness for heated homes!)--Spring shows up and the crocuses bloom.

And they show up every year after being frozen for months just a few inches in the dirt.

Therein lies the lesson. Therein lies the example for us.

Thank you Mr. Perfect for being a mentor and a friend. You always touched our lives with brightness and sunshine. Us three kids (and our whole family) were blessed for knowing you.

Your family is in our thoughts.