Winter Solstice

It is 2:50 in the morning - Sunday December 14th. Lights are on on the deck. "Winter Solstice" playing in the background. The lights illuminate a winter wonderland. Lucky enough to live in the country, the trees which are plentiful on our property, are covered in Christmas-card style, with about 3 inches of snow, and it is still falling. There are so many who grumble at the mere mention of snow, presumably because of the added dimension of anxiety produced while driving in the white stuff ( studded snow tires are an excellent remedy). Why do some of us diehards get excited when the forecast has that "s" word in it? Because for a moment our world is changed. For a few hours, or perhaps a few days, the view outside appears to be painted by Thomas Kincade. We have something magical and wonderous to draw our attention away from the negative news of a troubled world. It makes me think about the composer of the Christmas Carol - Silent Night - was it a night like this when he penned the lyrics to the Christmas anthem? I am thankful for the little oases like this long-advertised storm. It takes me away from the daily grind and places me in a world that in the northwest is somewhat fleeting - the snowy winter wonderland I now behold outside my window. It doesn't get any better than this.