Embracing Winter

Here it is, well into winter and the Christmas season, but I have yet to embrace winter’s arrival. Usually I look forward to the first snow of the year; it is my cue to begin playing Christmas music. This year I obediently followed that cue, but I have yet to enjoy the “magical winter wonderland” feeling.

I like to hibernate in the winter. Since the cold and snow and ice have arrived, I have braced against it, tried to rush through it to another warm setting; I see it as an obstical to overcome.

Last week, Ethan and I bundled up and headed outside to shovel off the front steps and sidewalk. While I was unenthusiastically shoveling, and thoroughly not enjoying it, I was asking God to show me how I can appreciate the snow and winter. I was trying to remember the joy it used to bring me, the refreshment, the excitement.

I remember as kids how we longed for new snow and quickly bundled up anxious to run around and be the first to leave our tracks on the flawlessly smooth blanket of snow. We would shovel snow mazes in the backyard, dig tunnels, build snow forts… Now I see my boys doing the same thing. When we head out, I make a quick beeline for the van, store, or whatever the particular destination may be. They, however, strain their mittened hand in mine in hope to break free from my grasp so they can stomp through the snow and conquer as many snow mountains as possible before I beckon them to get into the van or the house.

I remember coming in the house as kids after our outdoor adventures and shaking our snow encrusted mittens and hats in front of the hot wood stove and watch excitedly as clumps of snow would fly off and land on the hot surface and sizzle into nothing. I always wondered why my mom was less than eager to join us in our outdoor winter play. Now I identify with her! Somewhere along the time line of my life, I morphed from the child who loved the snow into the adult who is inconvenienced by it and usually only appreciates its beauty through the window of a warm house. When and how did this happen?

After shoveling the sidewalk, my initial impulse was to head immediately back inside. But I paused. I watched Ethan rolling around in, licking, and trying to sink in and be swallowed by the snow. I looked up at the trees, outlined with a beautiful white line of snow gently balancing on each branch. I intentionally breathed in the cold air and felt it invigorate my lungs.

“Hey Ethan, let’s go play in the backyard for a bit!” I suggested. “Ok!” He hurried over to me. In the back, I was wondering how long it would take for the ice on the back sidewalk to melt (functional, task oriented thoughts). Ethan cried out, “Let’s pretend there’s water under the ice!” as he stomped across it, “Oh, no, it’s cracking! Run!” We raced across the ice, just barely escaping our imaginary plunge into icy water.

He didn’t see the snow and ice and cold as an inconvenience, but as a whole new realm of possibilities for imaginary play. Where does our imagination go when we become adults? Why do our thoughts revolve around tasks and efficiency? I entered into his world for a while and eventually headed back inside. My cheeks smarted with the tight, raw smack of cold skin warming. And I smiled. I’m not sure I can say that I am now ready to embrace winter, but as I pause to look through the eyes of my children, I can relive old memories and begin to see once again the excitement that imagination and perspective can bring to any situation.

How Could I Ask for More?

I put together a slide show of our family photos from the year. The song I used is what inspired the name for my blog. I hope you enjoy it!

Just for Fun...

If you are like me, when you watch this clip you will be asking yourself, "Is this for real?!" -Keep watching! I got a kick out of it!