The last few days have been bitterly, staggeringly cold...again...
Here in Buffalo, N.Y. that is not a complete suprise. Sometimes I imagine that places like North Dakota or parts of Colorado, or at least Alaska are colder more often (Yes, imaging that someone is actually colder helps me to feel better!). Yesterday the outdoor temperature gauge in the car read 5 degrees. The day before 11 degrees. I'm not sure it matters what the temperature gauge really says when it dips that low. It might as well say -53!
So we bundle. We wear hats and gloves. Big jackets and boots. The cars are grimy, my four year old laughs about the dirty snow and how it looks like mud to her.
"Yes, honey. Mud. That's about right."
I've been doing the cold winters for 35 years now and somehow, I must say, I feel as if I have become more resilient. Several years ago, one of my first with young babes to bundle, making the challenges of long frigid winters...well...more challenging...I remember giving in to a restlessness and frustration in my spirit about it all.
I don't go there...well, not as often as I used to anyway. It's not worth it.
I've come to realize that Northeast winters are a time for rest. For slowing down. For not moving as quickly and I'm learning to be ok about it.
When you do something again, and again, and again...you build resiliency, perseverance, a grit and eventually a peace about it. And while I'm not a lover of cold Buffalo winters (and sometimes dream of moving to places like sunny Arizona or North Carolina!), I am thankful for the way they have taught me to adapt and be grateful...even when it is 5 degrees!
This post is part of the 5 - Minute Friday Link-Up...A weekly offering to take one offered word and write, unedited for just 5 minutes! You can check it out here!
great interpretation of "AGAIN" and so true...perseverance and adapting are wonderful gifts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
Fabulous post.
ReplyDeleteRight there with you, sister! My kid's response this morning- it snowed again?!! :) We make a game out of it and talk about our favorite warm places and how we would just love to dive into a pool. Somehow makes it easier to deal with. And we stay inside a whole lot more.
ReplyDeleteStay as warm as you can and love to you!
Becky- you sure do! If only we were a little bit closer to each other...we could have a stay inside and drink hot cocoa fest and talking about blogging while the kids run rampant...that might make it feel better!
DeleteWell, I'm here to tell you that 11 feels almost balmy compared to -11 with a wind chill making it feel like -37 (just had that the other day!) So you have every right to feel it is better to be in New York! :) LOL. Yes, it is cold again but it so makes me appreciate the warmth of spring, summer and fall. Your words are so true.
ReplyDeleteOh my Lori!!! I suddenly feel so much...warmer!! thanks for the smile!
DeleteI totally feel the same way about Alaskan winters. I love hibernating with my writing in a warm comforter as the snow falls in the graying shadows of the late morning. Cheers. Click here to check out my 5 Minute Friday
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