By Ann Martin
We are experiencing an early season heat wave in the northeast and I can't help but reminisce of the brutal and cold winter that Mother Nature dealt us this past season. Oh, how that cold air would feel so good right now! Sometimes, it is so easy to take for granted certain gifts nature provides for us. Take the time, look around and really take in the true beauty of our surroundings. That is exactly what I did during those cold and snowy winter months.
This past winter in the northeastern part of the United States, we were hit with multiple blizzards. I thought that the winter season would truly never end. Especially when one blizzard dumped about 18-22 inches on us on a Saturday, then on Tuesday came another 20 inches. No, I'm not kidding. Now grant it, this was considered extremely rare to receive well over 100 inches of the white stuff in one season, but it happened. During this time, we baked countless batches of chocolate chip cookies, which seemed to disappear from my square dinnerware on a daily basis. And the amount of homemade soups that were cooked, served and eaten from our dinnerware seemed to never end as well.
The kids of course enjoyed it the most, especially when there was no school for about a week or so. But it brings a certain magical element into the season. Sure, we can all bare the cold frigid temperatures, but when we actually see the snowflakes trickling down from the sky (or in this case, being dumped down), there is a certain mystique that comes with snow falling down from the winter sky. When the storms rolled through and there was sometime to go exploring, it is quite amazing how peaceful and serene the outdoors can be. It almost feels as if you were transferred to another place. Or in my case, I felt like I was stuck in a snow globe for a period of time. Regardless, nature is just so amazing.
As we went exploring through the snow, it was breathtaking just to see the trees. They were gently frosted with white snow and provided shelter to many birds, who were flying in and out of the nests inside those trees. Even the birds were checking out what was going on! Of course when it first snows, you can see more of nature's "prints". Those little foot prints from various small animals are now visible. Little bird tracks to dog paw prints are all now visible. Some tracks you may not even be sure who or what made them, can now be seen. Even children while making snow angels, leave their angelic outlines behind. Even our own footprints can now be seen.
When times get a bit busy and daily everyday life can seem overwhelming, I try and remember those prints and tracks painted in the snow and the peace that was brought with each snow. Sometimes seeing what nature leaves behind can be reassuring in that no matter where your life takes you, one should take the time to appreciate what you have.
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