How Winter Has Changed

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