“Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.”

– Standing Bear

Winter has had me feeling grumpy this year.  Maybe my old bones just don’t stand as well against the cold as they did when they were younger.  I’ve found myself reaching for sweaters and fleece jackets, even when I’m inside the house; and that is where I’ve been spending most of my time — inside the house.  I can hear the cold wind running its fingers around the edges of my ancient doors and windows, looking for a pry spot where it can insinuate itself and send a wintry draft to blow past my feet and send me running for wool socks.  ”Bah!  Humbug!” I would Scrooge, “I hate winter.”  Gradually, my heart had grown as cold as the brittle wind and as hard as ice.

Then the snow began to fall.  Late last night, as I sat all cozy and warm on the couch, I noticed that the sounds of the street had begun to change.  The cars all wore cotton tires and tiptoed silently down the road as if their usual rushing whoosh no longer belonged under the starless winter sky.  I looked toward the changing voice of the street and saw it — tiny snowflakes, as tiny as grains of salt, falling by the millions and sparkling white in the glow of the streetlights.  ”Hush,” they whispered to the world below, “Sleep, peace, dream.”

For a while I stood at the door and watched.  There is nothing like the serenity of a fresh, new blanket of snowflakes lying spread on the ground and covering all the imperfection with its pristine white.  I could smell freshly-laundered sheets and picture Mother Nature spreading them and inviting me to come and rest.  I wrapped a sweater around my shoulders and stepped outside and into the magic of the snowy night.  Even before I left the porch and stepped into the snow, I found myself walking lightly as though I didn’t want to disturb the sleeping land.  I turned my face toward the sky and watched the tiny crystals swirl and dance as they fell to the earth below.  I let them touch my face and leave their mark on my clothing before they succumbed to my body heat and disappeared.  I closed my eyes and let the crystal beauty wash away the cares of the day.  It was then that I realized that right in the middle of the falling snow my heart had warmed to the beauty of winter.  I turned toward the warmth of my cozy house and carried with me the warmth of the silent winter snowflakes that touched my face and warmed my heart.  For a long time I stood at the door and watched the blanket grow ever thicker and heard the streets grow ever more silent.  When all was still, I found my own bed; and, like the sleeping earth beneath the snow of night, curled in and let my dreams swirl like snow and carry me away to the land of rest.