Maybe I Should Learn to Love Winter

A week ago, the world outside my windows looked like this:

The branches of the trees heavily laden with glistening snow, a bit of sun peaking through just often enough to make my heart sing – except my heart was longing for warm sandy beaches and not properly appreciating the sun’s efforts.

The dried seed heads of summer’s flowers topped with snow looking a lot like a dessert topped with whipped cream

and the quail digging into the snow, searching for the seed it knew was down there somewhere.

Did I properly appreciate all of this beauty that surrounded me? No. I did not. I was blinded by my yearning for warm sandy beaches. I was battling Mother Nature – a futile battle that is, always. I was yearning for something I did not have, wishing the winter away.

This snowfall was followed by a week of warmer temperatures and rain – greeted by me with glee, except – I.did.not.think.carefully. I did not think about the fact that melting snow makes slush, and at night temperatures drop and slush becomes ice. I did not realize that those conditions I greeted joyfully would make going out for a walk well nigh impossible, unless one was willing to risk a fall that would do old, brittle bones no good whatsoever.

Yesterday, it looked like this out there

and I thought perhaps the clouds would continue to break up and sun would follow this morning. But Mother Nature had other plans, and this morning looked like this.

I give, I’m ready to wave the white flag. I believe there’s a lesson in this story. I believe I must give up wishing for what I do not have and cannot have. I believe I must learn to love the beauty that is offered me in whatever shape it takes. I believe I must remind myself that what is, is enough. I will appreciate what I am given. I will battle Mother Nature no more. Although – I won’t promise that I won’t complain.