One of rebirth, renewal, rededication. Nature itself shows the way. I know, from seasons past, spanning many years, that if I lift the protective blanket of snow and ice, and my secondary blanket of mulch, I will find my 'Spring' plants straining at their leashes to try and feel the touch of the warmth of the weak Sun, with nubs of green already poking above the soil.

Indeed, later in the day, when it's a bit warmer, I'll go out and do just that, loosen the mulch to give the little ones room to breath, room to grow. And, in a ritual perhaps limited to myself, I'll sprinkle small amounts of bone meal and blood meal around the perimeter of the flower bed, the better to sustain them in the cold days still to come before the Mother says 'Now is your time to grow.'

Subliminally lifted from the Christian teaching of 'This is my Body - This is my Blood'? Perhaps. Perhaps older, much older, coming from sacrifices to the Mother spanning the eons. I don't care, it's not important to me to find the 'why' of it, it feels right and proper, and so I do it, and will continue to do it, until it is MY turn to return to the arms of the Mother, to make my own personal sacrifice, and hope that somewhere, somehow, I have made a difference by being here and have learned, at least some of the lessons that were presented to me.

To me, today is a day of rebirth and rededication. Thirteen months ago I left a path that I had dedicated a major portion of my life, when I retired from the Fire Service ending a career that spanned 25 years. It's been a time of recuperation and reflection, mentally, spiritually, and physically -- but -- a bond forged many years ago is not so easily set aside.

I think a period of mourning was needed to truly 'let go' of my former life, before I could accept my new path. This morning I truly felt the need for a mental purification and cleansing, and as I pondered these thoughts the local firefighters responded to a call.

As I saw them from my window I mentally sent wishes of 'Good bye, and Good Luck', and, as they passed from sight, irrevocably broke the cord that bound me to that way of life. I take heart in seeing the fresh new faces that follow in my footsteps, full of promise and potential, and take pride, knowing that I have passed on the knowledge that was made known to me from Brothers long dead, and, with my own learnings, have added a piece of 'me' to the mix.

"Hail and Farewell my brothers, may you return safely to your families at the end of your day."

THIS will be a year of rediscovery of spiritual values, for me. These things were put on the back burner years ago, while my energy was expended elsewhere. The time has come to again bring them forward into the light and heat of the fire, to see what develops.