Winter is an Opportunity.

I don’t have to look like I’m blooming…

But I want to sow a good seed. 

In my childhood, I loved winter. 

Winter was just another opportunity

For me to wear my big snowpants and go sledding down my favorite hill.

My sled was the long, pink one that could fit two people. 

Baba’s was the short purple one that went faster than mine. 

We would have snowball fights with all the kids in the neighborhood, 

And make snowmen with carrot sticks, branches, and raisins. 

Or I would lace up my white ice skating shoes with the pink embroidery on the side. 

And feel proud of myself when I taught myself how to twirl in a pretty circle like

Kristi Yamaguchi. 

Christmas was always a colorful, warm bag of fun. 

Lots of gifts, delicious smells, and goodies to go-round. 

I liked my Swiss Miss hot cocoa with the marshmallows inside. 

And my Gingerbread cookies.

As a child, every season had its own special elements to look forward to.

Winter was a unique space, with a Grand presence.

But as I grew older, winter changed. 

…