Thank You

Good morning, readers. It has been a while.

To say that I've been busy would be an understatement, but I am sure we're all in the same boat there. It's a mixed bag really- between family and work, I really don't have too much time for anything else, but I wouldn't change it for the world. The cold I could do without though. Don't get me wrong, I love Wisconsin winters. I love the beauty of freshly fallen snow, the crisp mornings, and watching my kids build forts and sled in our backyard. But 20 below? Um, no thank you. I remember last weekend thinking that this cold streak might actually be enough to ruin winter for me for good, but then this morning this happened:

As I wandered about the kitchen this morning, coffee in hand, I looked out over the countryside and watched as sunlight started to fill in the bare spots in the woods behind our house. I looked down at my phone, read the temperature, and instantly furrowed my brows... (Feels like -15). What! I thought. What a great way to ruin a perfectly good morning.

But, as I again looked out over the frozen tundra that is my backyard, peace and calm fell over me. From inside my home, I watched as the blue sky transformed into shades of pink and orange. And as the sun hit the snow and spread across the ground, my yard looked like it had been frosted with diamonds. There is a petite fox which we have affectionately named, Ginger, living in a brush pile at the edge of our woods. And although she hadn't appeared to me this morning, I couldn't help but wonder if she too was looking out at the same glorious display of snow and sunrays that I was. After a few minutes of just standing still, I realized that my brows were no longer furrowed, and I was no longer bothered by that which I cannot control. The feeling that had come over me while I stood there at the window was so pleasant it was practically foreign. I hadn't noticed until that very moment that it had been a long, long time since I let myself fall into something beautiful. For an unexpected moment this morning, the last year of turmoil and chaos had melted away, and I was in the presence of so many beautiful things. It is exactly what my soul needed.

It was a humbling experience this morning. It reminded me of what it was like to look at things for the sake of looking and to see beauty before seeing challenge. I want this experience for all of you. And while it may difficult or even impossible right now, I have a feeling good things are coming. Watching the light dance off the snow in my backyard was like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long, dark, and cold winter, and we are now emerging. Over the next few weeks try to find one moment of calm peace to fall into. Quiet your mind and your body, and your soul will follow. Hang in there gang. We will make it through.

Until next time, take care.

Ang