Tumnus Grins Again

Every Spring this happens -- the long slow drag of darkness that typifies Colorado winters (in my mind and in my circadian rhythm) finally burns off like mist in the sunlight... the sound of birdsong outside my window greets me before the intrusion of the alarmclock can jar me out of my dreams, and I awaken with energy and optimism. It is always a great relief, the coming of Spring.

This little smiling fellow is Tumnus, a faun drawn for me by a children's book illustrator named Michael Hague whose daughter I knew in high school. Michael drew Tumnus in pencil and painted him on the title page of a children's book he'd published, which he gave me for graduating from college. It makes me very happy that it was the thought of me that inspired this little fellow -- a sprite this mischevious and utterly joyful... to be the cause of his creation can only be a matter of honor. Today is May 2nd and Tumnus is awakening agains omewhere in the deep quiet of my psyche, awakening with a grin and a wink to the wet green world.