letter from the editor
in every issue
APRIL 2016
the art & soul of spring
MELIA FLOWERS
founder / editor / publisher
into what your heart feels. The same is true about spring.
keeps me hopeful that winter will soon end and gives me
It’s impossible to fully described the beauty of the most
something special to look forward to. In years past, I
grand of all seasons. It simply has to be experienced.
have included a photo of my annual hunt. This year,
The arrival of spring is like receiving an amazing gift,
however, my ritual took a different turn. For no planned
wrapped in the loveliest of paper. If seasons had a
reason, the object of my passion changed from a shoe to
gender, I think spring would certainly be female. From
a dress. Actually, a certain type of dress. In searching for
the first hint of her arrival until she settles in to stay, we
my special sandal, I fell in love with gingham print and
wait with anticipation to see what each day will bring...
began to search for all types of spring things- in gingham.
warm one day, cooler the next. Rainy day follows rainy
From there, I found the most lovely little pink gingham
day, then, a week of sunshine and warm days paves
dress that stole my heart and at least temporarily caused
the way for an explosion of color. It seems that every
my love affair with the perfect spring shoe to fade into
blossom swaying in the breeze is saying “Look at me, I’m
the distance.
the grandest of them all.”
8
I wore that precious pink gingham dress on Easter
Day after beautiful day, I make the drive from my
Sunday. Each time I open my closet, I see it and my
home in Marion to my office in Florence as the picture
heart swoons, prompting a smile, much like the one
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
being painted before my eyes has advanced from the day
that takes over each morning when I step out to meet
No, not that wonderful time... the other wonderful
before. Knowing the artist is God himself, I realize spring
the day. There are many ways in which I feel the hand of
time. The time of the year when the air turns sweet with
is surely another of His love letters to us. Each note of
God in my life. Some are quite monumental while others,
wisteria blossoms and yellow jasmine appears in all
the birds’ song, each petal on a flower, each new blade
like the dress thing, are small subtle ways that I believe
its glorious splendor. Brown, dry grass is overcome by
of grass and every phenomenal display of breathtaking
God loves on us. He knows the desires of our heart and
bright green blades and azalea bushes become clothed
beauty, all that is there to be seen or heard or felt, is
delights in our joy just as he hurts in our sorrow.
in blooms of white, pink and purple. How, I wonder, can
God’s love poured out upon the landscape. Behold, the
My opening comparison to the beauty of spring
one doubt the tender heart of God when looking into
beauty of spring. Behold the beauty of God’s love for us.
being like a canvas God is painting inspired the title of
the face of spring? It amazes me, the complexity of our
I have often expressed how thankful I am that God
this issue, The Art Of Spring. With the “art” focus, we
creator, that the same God who spoke mountains and
chose to allow me to live my life as a girl. More so than
selected via our own search and nominations, several
galaxies into being envisioned and created delicate
ever in springtime. Oh how wonderful to be a girl in
artist for our feature story spotlight. If you, like me,
flowers in colors like pink and buttercream and lavender.
springtime! When I put on the first G&W72