Growing up in Connecticut
I cannot help but remember how
wonderful
the winters of my youth in Bloomfield
were
Sledding the hill behind Daniel
Boulevard
skating on backyard ice when there was
no ride to Filley Pond
playing hockey at that small pond down
at the end of the street
and digging out igloos from the piles
of snow dad had shoveled from the driveway
It was always a challenge to try and
walk on top of the crusted over snow
each step taken with care as not to
break the surface
There was the time as a boy scout we
pitched tents in the snow
what a camp out
even though it was only one night as I
remember
my dad was the scout master
he had built the fire
and then a wall of aluminum foil behind
it to reflect heat back toward us
good thing there wasn't a lot of wind
that night
Even the snowball fights brought joy
and laughter
well providing I didn't get hit in the
face
It's these memories are what makes me
love winter
even with it's cold and snow
As I've grown and now live in a small
town in Michigan
I've learned to appreciate winter in
another way
there is a beauty that cannot be found
at other times of the year
Though it brings possible danger
the ice storm that comes overnight
places diamonds before my eyes upon the
tree branches
when the sun rises the next day
There is the super frost
it comes when the air is almost
unbreathable
so crisp and cold yet so beautiful
Waking to the morning sun
shining down upon a fresh snowfall
before anyone has disturbed it with
their foot steps
a purity displayed like no other
Yes winter has been harsh this year
I have probably shoveled more snow than
ever in my life
Some might call it the worst winter
ever
To me it has been one of the best
