I have lived in snowy winter areas for 15+ years (CO, WY, ND). I was surprised when I first got back to winter by how much I enjoyed the seasonal changes and the snow. I was enchanted by snow, a child making snow-angels enchantment. Each large snow storm developed into a celebration for me. I developed snow-storm favorite foods (rotisserie chicken, for one), stacked firewood inside the house, and settled in, watching the world outside transform. Once the snow stopped but before the roads were cleared, I piled on the layers, gaiters, gloves and hats, then walked outside. I was always curious who else I would find out and about town.
As I learned growing up in snow country (Ohio) and re-learned in the last 15 years, Thanksgiving and Christmas vibes are intertwined with winter weather. Part of the holiday ambiance depends on cooperating snow storms. Not too much, not too little. Not on travel days but certainly just before at the right time and with enough to guarantee a white Christmas.
Sitting here in Florida I cannot believe Thanksgiving is in 10 days. Christmas? Unthinkable. The weather is just too good! Without the weather piece of the holiday puzzle, the vibe is off. I am in a time warp. I see a tiny hint of fall, but it could just as easily be a cool spring day.
In many ways, I do not miss the holiday mania. I have a real problem with Christmas as a commercial holiday. As I age, I give fewer and fewer gifts, and those are often homemade. Pickles, pillowcases, placemats, doggie quilts. Sometimes I give the money to the Heifer Project or Habitat for Humanity. Black Friday? Bah humbug. If anything, I will buy on small business Saturday. I don’t even send printed cards anymore. Grumpy minister.
While I am happy to be free of the Christmas frenzy, I do miss nature’s backdrop for the season. I will be on Dauphin Island, off the Alabama coast over the holidays. The only snow I will see: those animated snow pics on the weather report.
Yes, I will miss the snow, but I cannot wait to see the gifts waiting for me there!
