Winter brings Tranquility

Winter brings a tranquility that no other season knows. Today the weather tells me winter is here!!!!!

We woke up to 4.80 inches of snow over night! When we heard the forecast yesterday I simply dismissed it. I thought “oh… it probably won’t hit our way, it is too early. It’s still fall.” I was wrong! As I stand by my window early this morning, the world is still asleep under a blanket of fresh fallen snow. It is this quiet time of solitude that God seems the closest to me. This is a nurturing time. My mind needs to be still and quiet.

This stillness and quiet allows the pervasive calm to work its miracle. To me there’s no sight as beautiful as watching snowflakes drift softly down to earth.

In this moment my mind wanders back to my time on The Lane. I reminisce about winter days long ago when I was a child I was filled with curiosity as a little girl. The prospect of a new found snow left this young girl with excitement. I ran to the windows. I can see my brothers and me pressing our noses against the window pane to watch it snow. We loved to see the different shapes made by the snowflakes. They float like large goose down feathers covering The Lane with a white blanket of snow. Ice captures the winter landscape with a freeze frame of icicles. Our world look so clean. The creek runs alongside The Lane and moves softly…. full of icy cold water. The branches of an oak and other trees stand like skeletons against the gray sky. If I try hard I can almost see the smoke from the chimneys filling the air from the fireplaces warming the houses all around us. On a cold winter’s day nothing is more magical than watching snowflakes as they turn into a thick blur.

Then, like now, our home is our sanctuary. As women our lives become so cluttered with things “we have to do”. We don’t have time to do things for ourselves. One of which is to slow for a day to see God’s beauty, our blessings and calm our spirit. We are so absorbed in activities from the outside world we can’t stop. We allow life’s pressures to prevent what a quiet snowy morning provides! These precious, paralyzing snow days put us in touch with our thoughts. Our thoughts put us in touch with our inner self. In a few minutes my quiet thoughts will be replaced by the start of the daily routine.

My refuge on this early snowy morning will be invaded by decisions of what I need to do for the day. I savor the moment and my memories as I look out my window viewing my garden. I know Mother Nature has covered it with a clean blanket of snow. She is allowing all the earth to rest in preparation for work next spring. I’m reminded of when I was young ….too young to understand the cycles of the season. Time then seemed much slower. Winter seemed to go on forever!

I am quiet as those thoughts returned….. those special memories of my childhood. As a young girl with hopes and dreams I did not question my chance to succeed or where I was going. I haven’t forgotten how it was to be young with hopes and dreams. I am grateful to still be in touch with the inner child. And, so grateful for what my life has provided.

The aroma of my fresh brewed coffee brings me to reality and today’s quiet thoughts and needs. I know that no matter what happens today life goes on and we should not allow anything to disturb our peace of mind. I know to always look on the bright side of life even in times of sorrow, and on a cold snowy day. It is important to know who you are and where you’re going…. but is as important to never forget where you came from.

Millie’s quote for today from Thomas Kempis ….

“a humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences”