Dear CAHSLA Members,

As the days grow longer and the chill of winter melts into fragrant breezes, we find ourselves once again at the doorstep of spring—a season bursting with renewal, color, and… strangely enough, a touch of fear.

Yes, fear.

While spring is typically associated with blossoms, birdsong, and backyard brunches, I invite you to consider its spookier side. Think of it: nature returns from the dead, bugs reappear en masse, and those mysterious creaks in the attic you ignored all winter suddenly sound suspiciously active. Even the flowers—so cheerful at first glance—are part of an evolutionary arms race that includes thorns, poisons, and carnivorous cousins.

Spring is scary in the way all change is scary. It asks us to shake off the old, step into the new, and embrace the unknown. Whether it’s planting something unfamiliar in the garden or finally tackling that long-postponed personal project, there’s always that shadow of doubt: What if it doesn’t work out? What if it fails?

But here’s the good news: spring also reminds us that growth often follows uncertainty. The same season that scares us with its unpredictability also gives us endless second chances—one sprout at a time.

So let’s celebrate the season in all its contradictions. Let the sun warm your fears, let the winds carry them away. And if you see a flower with teeth… just back away slowly.

Wishing you a blooming, bold, and slightly spooky spring,

Best,

Matthew Cooper
CAHSLA President