Winter

The cold is so intense it tightens in your chest and wraps itself around your breath.  The trees, once ornately decorated with bursts of crimson, rust, and gold, now stand bare and exposed.  Their branches reach longingly to the sky and the earth, stripped to reveal the roots and foundation that lie beneath the formerly beautiful foliage.  Frost sparkles in the first rays of the morning sun, and the silence is only broken by a brief, shuddering gust of wind.

Winter.  It has character.  It has truth.  It is a time for both celebration and reflection.  It is the perfect contradiction of happiness and loneliness.  It is the perfect balance of inner peace and inner conflict.

The first big snowfall of the season coated NYC this past weekend.  It started out as soft, fluttering flakes and gathered steam into gushing bursts of snow and wind, before settling into a steady, frozen rain.  People buzzed around shopping, sightseeing, and playing with newfound energy, despite the chilly, slippery conditions.  The twinkling Christmas lights glowed beneath the fallen snow and city streets truly turned into a winter wonderland.  It was beautiful.

There's something about the winter season that I love.  Yes, the days are shorter and the temperatures are frigid.  But take a close look next time you are wandering around outside.  Observe how many people are holding hands and wrapped tightly to each other, keeping the warmth between their bodies.  It's hard to fake love in the winter.  Think about the way people are brought together... and not just for the holidays but in everyday life.  Some of my favorite memories consist of winter nights filled with games, hot chocolate, movies, long talks over flowing drinks, and quiet moments curled on the couch.

I've lost sight recently over many things because I chose to dwell on the unforeseen, the unknown, and unexpected.  But I believe in fate.  And I believe in destiny.  And while I'm not the most patient person in the world (those who know me know that is a serious understatement) I'm willing to release the reins for a bit.  Maybe sit in the sled and get pulled around instead of throwing out my back trying to take control.

Winter.  That first snowfall.  It's Mother Nature's way of slowing us down and giving us perspective.

Have a wonderful holiday... stay warm and stay safe.