Dan and I stepped off a flight that originated in Maui onto a tarmac covered with snow. (More about Hawaii in a later post.) A few days ago, we were wearing flip-flops. Today, Dan is shoveling this fluffy white stuff.
I love central Oregon in the winter.
I wouldn’t enjoy working outdoors in the snow and ice. And while I’ve helped Dan shovel snow, I definitely wouldn’t relish changing a flat tire in the snow.
But there’s so much to love about winter. Fireplaces lit. Snowshoeing. Pots of soup bubbling on the back burner. Everything Christmas. Sledding down slippery hills. Candles glowing. Wrapping up in a hand-knitted shawl hugging a cup of hot cinnamon tea.
But I get it. There are people who live out in the cold, people who drive the icy roads to work, people who grow a bit blue from being housebound. And people, like Dan, who are so through with snow-shoveling.
I recently came across an article titled “50 things I love about winter” by someone named Gwen. She started her piece with, “I hate winter. I think everyone does. And if they don’t, they should.” (Gwen and I probably couldn’t be friends.)
Apparently, she grew up near the equator with “hot” and “rainy” as the only weather options. In an attempt to embrace her current place of residence—where it’s cold seven months of the year—Gwen drafted a list of things she loves about winter (oh, a list person … maybe we could be friends after all!).
Gwen had to get creative to reach her goal of 50 things: “Bulky clothes that hide winter weight gain,” “No bees,” and “Heated car seats.” See. Right there. Three things to love about something you don’t like.
Bonnie Sours Smith wrote about waiting actively through the winter seasons of our lives:
Despite the weather, the birds still come. And we still wait for them. It’s not time wasted. As with so many things, watching and waiting are active, not passive. We wait with anticipation, with joy. We fill the winter birdfeeders full of welcome. We have faith, which is hope with certainty.
Bonnie Sours Smith
We know with certainty that the Creator of all seasons will send Spring back around to us. We know the trees will bud, and the flowers will press upward through a ground that has finally softened, and mama deer will give birth to the cutest little speckled fawns.
But I wonder if we could also think of winter as a season of growth—a time of hibernating growth while we slow down and hunker in with our families and favorite music and board games and bowls of popcorn and knitting projects.
Hibernating growth. One more thing to love about winter.
Tracey Phillips
It’s only in the winter, with leaves all gone, that you can see the farthest.
Marlys Lawry
I love that thought, Tracey … thanks for sharing!
Lynne Lung
I love winter too, Marlys. Everything from the white of the snow, to feeding the birds and hibernating. I took my 4 year old out the other day to let snowflakes fall on our faces… and they were big flakes 🙂 Love it! I have a two sided quilt, one for spring and summer, other for fall and winter. I love the dark trees that show winter. It is a cozy feel as I look out the window.
Blessings and thank you for your posts. Hope to see you at a conference. Lynne
Marlys Lawry
I love the thought of you and your 4-year-old letting snowflakes fall on your faces … and your two-sided quilt, Lynne! Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer Killam
Marlys, you have done so well. My husband died 6 years ago and we used to talk. I still feel a little sad about the whole thing, and you have thrived! I am happy for you!
Marlys Lawry
I remember that our husbands died around the same time, Jennifer. It’s so good to hear from you, my friend. There’s absolutely nothing wrong at still feeling the occasional sadness over your loss, and I pray that your life fills up with new people to love, and with adventure and happiness!
Jennie Asmussen
This was a wonderful post! I actually do love winter, and hate the heat of summer. However God has made us, this is such good advice. I love the phrase hibernating growth. Very good to use as a winter mantra to keep on continuously growing.
Also I picked up on the phrase “we have faith which is hope with certainty “. Perfect to go along with Trevor’s sermon this morning.
Marlys Lawry
Thank you, Jennie, for the idea of a winter mantra to remind us to keep on continuously growing!