I just want it to quit. Stop. Someone needs to fix this for
me. Winter, that is. Those of you who know me, or have been readers for a while,
know that each year I dislike winter more and more. This year we have been hit
hard and were hit early. Our first snow fell the last week of October; we've had major storms that have given us 90% of a yearly snowfall in nine weeks. AND
we have months to go – three at least and likely into four. I find myself
getting more frustrated by the day. I hate it and I hate the part of myself
that hates it. The news is full of horrible weather across the continent, and
no one is fixing it. No one, not for any of us. The news reports always
interview some person who loves winter and the advice to “Embrace it”. I am
being stubborn this year and not embracing winter. I am, instead, embracing my
disgust with winter.
Three things about winter that I am ignoring:
-On the few sunny days we've had (I didn't mention how many
gray days we've endured. Normal hours of sunlight are way down.) I refuse to find
a few moments of rejoicing that this snow glistens like a million little
diamonds, sparkling and adding beauty to the land.
-After some time shovelling snow and getting chilled to the
bone, I refuse to allow the feeling of being invigorated revive my down-trodden
spirits. The smugness that comes with conquering a small piece of winter and
the satisfaction of a chore finished will not make me feel better, even for a
minute. So I say to myself.
-As I watch the wrath of Mother Nature during a full-blown
blizzard with white-out conditions and wind chills in the 35 below zero range, I
refuse to marvel in the power of God, the Spirit, the Universe (insert your
choice of word here). The awe and wonderment will not overtake my misery.
Winter. Freezing cold. Snow piled high. Treacherous highways
and byways. North bone-chilling winds. Hot chocolate warming from the inside
out. Dancing and singing and celebrating a short Chinook. Watching hockey.
Watching curling. Time spent with friends and family playing board games. Winter,
I will not embrace you and yet you still find some trickery to allow me to feed
my soul. You sometimes…kind of…a little
bit… fix it for me.
