The Silent Sounds of Winter

I intensely dislike winter--the gloom of it, the cold grip it brings upon our days. But alas, in order to make peace with it, I've contemplated some things I could--and do--like about this frigid season ...

The R & R that cold, dark days bring offering time to retreat from the world, to repair, restore, and rest the spirit.

The appreciation of another's touch, the delicious feel of another warm body against cool sheets ... spooning close, heat against each other ... one alone + one alone = two together.

The rich taste of a well-made hot chocolate--made with whole milk, a trickle of peppermint, and a fat dollop of whipped cream to top it off. Instant water-made concoctions should be banned.

The warm feeling of soup as it makes its way from mouth to stomach ... nourishing every chilled cell.

Blankets scented with lavender heaped heavily and scrunched around the neck and nose so that breath will warm beneath.

And the sound of wind whipping its stinging tails of frost against the window glass... of snow shovels scraping against concrete, and then ... the silent sounds of snow ... muffled, blanketing ...a world in white.