Awakenings: Wintertime vs. Winter Time

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Wintertime vs. Winter Time

Here we are, the last day of January: the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 1/12 of the year gone, 334 days remaining until year's end. Winter is in full swing, especially for those across the country who are amid severe weather outbreaks or horrendous blizzards. Visions of hope for an early spring have already begun buzzing around in their heads. That implies looking ahead wishing time away, packing up boots, heavy coats and jeans replacing them with flip flops, tee-shirts and shorts.

Ah-h-h-h, the essence of time. Time can't hold us down but moves us forward, keeps us on our toes and immerses us in memorable scenes of the past, present and future. It is our best friend, often our worse enemy. We have too much time on our hands, not enough time to do the things that need to be done or just barely get by as time flies without warning.

Winter time is slow time...avoiding driving in the fast lane, pausing for a hot cup of cocoa, stopping to warm by a fire. It is time indoors more than outdoors, more time to search within, quietude without the blossoms of springtime yet within thoughts of a balmy sunny day!

Wintertime is the coldest season of the year for most parts of the country, some being milder than others, some being beyond any reasonable perception of cold. Winters come, winters go. They will always be a part of the cycle of life beginning a season of dormancy awaiting rebirth. Yet, within bleakness lies a pristine side of Winter. Mosaics on frozen ponds and lakes stretch outward in all directions, cracks and crevices revealing life thriving underneath. One tree hangs on to its leaves while others stand barren baring scarred limbs naked to the earth and sky. Gone are the plush and green replaced by shades of gray often covered in blankets of white.