Winter Wonder

Today, where I am it's cold with a wintry mix in the air and a thin coat of ice on trees and plants.  So far this winter much of North America continues to experience an unusual series of arctic fronts bringing cold temperatures, snow and ice to places that don't normally have such weather.  And the places that do are getting more than usual of it.

Winter is nature's way of slowing us down and forcing us to pay attention.  We spend more time inside to stay warm and dry which leads to opportunities for quiet, still activities like reading and sipping a hot drink.  During these times we seem to think longer, deeper thoughts.

When we do go outside we must pay attention to bundling up in warm, dry clothing.  Even walking down the sidewalk and driving on streets we must be more attentive of slippery, wet conditions.   Can you imagine walking along on a summer day and being careful of patches or puddles of sunshine?   Of course not.  When the weather allows most of us walk and drive along with our minds in a thousand places.  But in winter, it's different.   We pay more attention to our surroundings.

When it snows, it seems to bring out the playful, adventurous child in many people.  We want to get out in it, even if to shovel the sidewalk.   And if we can't get out, we love sitting in front of windows just watching snow drift to the ground.

Winter is nature's way of drawing us into times of rest, reflection, play, and wonder.  I can't help but think of the song we usually hear around Christmas:

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight,

We're happy tonight,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song,

As we go along,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

Then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He'll say: Are you married?

We'll say: No man,

But you can do the job

When you're in town.

Later on, we'll conspire,

As we dream by the fire

To face unafraid,

The plans that we've made,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,

And pretend that he's a circus clown

We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,

Until the other kids knock him down.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,

Though your nose gets a chilling

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

Walking in a winter wonderland.

(Dick Smith, Felix Bernard, 1934)

The groundhog told us Sunday that we'll have six more weeks of winter.   We may as well enjoy it.  Wherever you are today, if you have a winter day - rest in it, reflect on it, play in it - wonder it!