Silver Lining

I was brushing off my car, the wind whipping my hair around my face, when I caught myself silently grumbling about winter.  I actually really like winter, but I dislike driving in lake effect snow, and I don’t know of anyone who enjoys brushing off their car. As true as that is, I stopped the moment I realized that I was mentally whining and started to think about what I enjoy about the season.

• Walks in a quiet, frosted forest.
• Seeing animal tracks.
• Big, fluffy flakes.
• Feeding the birds in the cold of winter.
• How prominent the evergreens become in our landscape.
• The way the light hits icy water just right, making it look like crystal.
• Frosty patterns on glass.
• Dusty snow that easily falls away from the car on busy mornings.
• How most insect pests hibernate or die from the cold.
• Clear, gelid starlight.
• Making snow people and snow fairies with my daughter.
• Throwing snowballs at my husband, and dodging his retaliations.
• Cozy evenings in with my family.
• The anticipation and celebration of snow days.
• The way my daughter’s eyes grow wide with wonder at the sight of snow.
• How tough I feel for surviving Upstate NY winters every year.

Reflecting in this way made the challenges more bearable.  I hope I can still do this when January, February, and early March inevitably challenge us with even colder, icier days.

What are your favorite aspects of winter?