Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1364218
Hayley Lenington-Leray SiG MT 10 FROM THE EDITOR Hayley Lenington-Leray, editor hleray@winston-publishing.com S MT F inally, it's here! Spring has unlocked the door and hung up the open sign. ere is nothing beer than a deep morning breath of spring. Time to shake off the winter dust and unleash that winter- harnessed enthusiasm for Montana's great outdoors. While spring doesn't arrive in a vast explosion of color, it certainly offers a scavenger hunt of seasonal firsts… the first sighting of a red-breasted robin, the first daffodil bursting with promise of warmer days ahead, the first fleeting, but fabulous eruption of cherry blossom, the first fluering flash of a yellow buerfly, the first whiff of freshly cut grass… so many firsts! I adore spring – its fleeting beauty, scents, warmth, wild baby booms, and most of all, the peace and rejuvenation each day brings. It's a season of birth and renewal and Mother Nature sure knows how to answer the call. ere is also another reason why I LOVE spring. I grew up on a farm and ranch near Fort Benton. When I was about seven years old, I remember talking back to my Mother when told I couldn't bring my pet chicken, Henny Penny, into the house. I felt terrible and didn't know how to move past the monumental guilt I felt. Oh, to be seven again. Aer mass that Sunday, I spoke with our priest as I was sure God would surely strike me down. I will never forget what he said, "Hayley, tomorrow is the first day of Spring. What beer time to make peace and move on than spring? Aer all, this season is about hope, renewal, and inspiration." I will never forget this conversation, not only was the weight of the world lied from my shoulders, but his words were forever etched in my mind. Since then, I always welcome spring as a time for renewal. e season seems to breathe new life into us while cleansing our spirit and hearts. Just like the flowers, trees, and wild babies of spring, we are called to flourish with an assurance that blessings are coming. It is almost healing to realize that spring comes aer a long, dark winter. Our lives are remarkably similar… joy oen enters our path aer hard struggles. We just have to wait patiently for the beauty to emerge. Beauty emerges in this issue of Signature MT as we showcase a budding Montana Metalsmith. Hunter Cook's love for her cra is evident in the traditionally inspired and artfully designed pieces she creates. We catch up with volunteer extraordinaire, Dr. Michael Matury as he demonstrates some of his inspirational acts of kindness that further emphasize that the happiest people aren't the ones acquiring more but rather the ones giving more. We are further inspired by one organization's critical yet selfless work in helping a staggering 3000 foster children in Montana find loving and forever homes. e kindness, passion, and inspiration flow through the pages of this issue. It is our hope that it encourages everyone to give, do, or be a lile more. As nature crawls out of hibernation and we transition from winter into spring, make sure to breath, smile and rejoice in the promise of new beginnings. "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." – Ralph Waldo Emerson