A Winter’s Day

Walking down the path towards the woods I wander into another world. The reflection of the sun is so brilliant against the snow that my eyes burn even though cold air buffets my face. Looking up into the azure sky, the whiteness of the snow is even whiter and the green of the pine trees more green. All are in sharp contrast of each other and yet it is the contrast and not the similarity that brings out their beauty. Once in awhile the wind catches the snow on a barren tree branch and lifts the snow off and throws tiny snowballs onto the ground. The crystallized snowflakes reflect off a nearby pond.

All of a sudden I’m a little girl in the back woods of my home. My sled in tow as I walk with my childhood friends. We are on an adventure to our favorite hill for sledding. Each winter the hill holds within its boundaries, excitement, some danger and lots of laughter. The path we choose goes between trees and boulders. It is a steady decline and easily maneuverable if you are aware of the surroundings. My favorite way of sledding is on my stomach. It is easier to guide the sled this way and with my legs bent up at the knees, I can get more speed by pumping them up and down or can use my feet as brakes by dragging them. We each get in line to take our turns down the hill. I can’t remember how it was determined who went first or last, but it didn’t really matter. What mattered was that first shove and the thrill that followed.

As I continue walking, the snow deepens as I come upon drifts caused by the blustery northwest winds. In a distance a cat sits very still. As I get closer I continue watching the cat, becoming concern because it doesn’t move. I decide to check it out when all of a sudden the cat pounces on something a few inches in front of it. Obviously it was the cat’s lunch and I laugh - glad that I didn’t cause a problem for the cat because of my curiosity.

Returning from my walk I realize that while there are similarities in the path, it is the contrasts of past and present that warm my heart today. No longer do I go sledding, or get together with childhood friends making forts and snowmen and drinking lots of hot chocolate as I did in the past. But that is okay for those moments are safely tucked away in my memory. Today I look at the path as an adventure – but an adventure in beauty. It still holds within its boundaries, excitement, some danger and lots of laughter. Today I have an opportunity to enjoy what I missed as a youth. As with my childhood memory, this moment too will be safely tucked away.

by: Susan Handle Terbay