I can’t believe it’s January, and we are just experiencing our first snow of the winter. I sound like an old timer when I say, “I remember when…” But truly, I do remember–like the time in college when it snowed so much that Halloween was cancelled. Or those childhood days when drifts piled so high they reached the roof of the house. With memories like that, it’s hard to complain when the first snow of the season amounts to a couple of inches in January.
Inevitable complaints
And yet, complaining is what we do–about the snow, the ice hiding underneath, the bitter cold. Most of the conversations I’ve had or overheard lately have been about the weather.
But for me, snow holds a certain magic. Whether I’m admiring the winter wonderland framed by the sliding glass doors in my dining room or waddling like a penguin to avoid a fall over white frosted sidewalks, I find it enchanting. The intricate designs of snowflakes clinging to a windowpane feel like tiny treasures. I love the way frost clings to the bare branches of trees, making them glisten in the sunshine. There’s something about snow that transforms the world into a place of wonder.
Weirdos who love winter
Someone recently joked, asking if I was dropped on my head as a child because of my enjoyment of snow. I chuckled but mentally chastised myself for being weird. Then, a friend of mine told me she loved to shovel snow too because it was her way of playing in the snow. I beamed with a “Me, too.” Another friend confessed her love for all things winter. I guess there are at least three of us weirdos.
Find your people. The ones who make you feel understood. I love the warm feeling I get when I resonate with another’s thoughts or experience with a simple “Me, too.” People were designed to be in relationship with others, and we need each other. In fact, I recently heard that loneliness is as harmful to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is worse than alcoholism, obesity, or lack of exercise.
So, during these snowy months, when it’s tempting to stay inside where it is warm, don’t forget to reach out. The gift of your presence may not only warm someone else’s heart but could also be just what you need for your own well-being. Being safe in the winter months is important–whether that means avoiding slick roads, waddling cautiously over icy sidewalks, or staying connected to friends and loved ones. Because in the end, the warmth we need isn’t just about the temperature.