Cherry Blossoms A Hopeful Sign Of Spring

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For centuries, Japanese cherry blossoms festivals have been a traditional celebration of how precious and ephemeral life is - as recent events in Japan certainly remind us. In the US, this year marks the 99th anniversary of a gift from the Japanese people planting so many cherry trees in Washington DC.

Here, we have our own Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, and you'll see them blooming all around - along the river, at the Japanese Tea House in Fairmount Park, and at the Morris Arboretum where they'll celebrate two Saturdays in a row - April 2nd and 9th - with music, tea ceremonies, and a chance to see their 35 varieties of cherry trees coming into bloom.

Cherry blossom festivals everywhere will be extra special this year, as the sadness in Japan coincides with the hope of Spring - a moment for us all to appreciate Nature's power, fleeting beauty, and enduring ability to renew.

Here are links to the Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia and Morris Arboretum Cherry Blossom Festival.

Reported By Phran Novelli, KYW Newsradio