Quote of the Day: Wisdom from Groundhog Day

“When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.” - Phil Connors, Groundhog Day

It’s Groundhog Day, again. The early morning fog turned to haze by 8am, and by 10am, the sun was only partially obscured by clouds. Temperatures rose to the mid- to high-60s, indicating that spring is indeed upon us. Also this morning, Punxsutawney Phil, the winter weather guru of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania boldly predicted an early spring during his annual moment of fame. Since my observations support his hypothesis, I absolutely believe him. Of course, I live nowhere near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and your reliance on the meteorological prognostications of a large rodent may be less advisable.

Even if we don’t put too much stock in what the groundhog signals each year on this day, we can cherish the custom. As the movie “Groundhog Day” demonstrates, we do not want each day to be the same as the one before. While the dawn and dusk and seasons repeat, we need to mark certain days as occasions worthy of special ceremonies. Groundhog Day may not rank especially highly among the notable days of the calendar, especially if you are a religious observer, but Phil Connors reminds us that we have the opportunity to greet each day and season either with despair or with love.