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Health & Fitness

Sharing of a Winter Story

What a little bird can make you realize in the dead of winter. My Christmas gift to you!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very wonderful and happy Christmas and a Happy New Year as well. Bring on 2012! I decided to share a short story I wrote. It's a true one, and a lot of my friends enjoy it and I hope you do as well! 

Little Bird: Written January 19th, 2010

Winter is a time I never really cared for. The time when all the beautiful leaves fall from the trees and leave them barren and dead looking. When the autumn breeze turns cold and bitter from its once warm and comforting caress to the cheek. The snow falls, covering the lush, green grass, freezing everything over, and causing slips and falls and unwanted pain to the rear and elbows.

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It's just not my time of year. I hate it. The ugliness, the cold, the snow, the grey clouds, the snow, nature's look of death, and did I mention snow? I was meant for a warmer climate. How was I born here in this northern part of America?

And it wasn't just the physical appearance of winter I dreaded, but the emotional part that came rolling along with it. Every time this part of the year comes, there lies so much unhappiness, save for the holidays. It almost seems like a curse a wicked witch casts upon families. Nobody gets along. And I can become spiteful, angry. And at the same time I feel unwanted, unloved, and unworthy. So why would a simple season cause such foolish feelings? Maybe I'm crazy. Or mental, even. Or it's because of the fact that when the snow covers the grass, it symbolizes my happiness being covered and suffocated by something so fierce and so cold I can't bare it and give into it, spreading my anger so others can feel it too.

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Until one normal winter day. An unusual break in the clouds caused a wonderful ray of sunshine to splash on the snow. I climbed over my couch in the family living room and gazed out the window, amazed at the colors that the snow was spewing off. Rainbows danced over everything, catching the wind chimes and the crystals hanging from the roof over the small porch. I stared in awe, as if it was the first time I could see in all the years I had walked the earth. And then a bird, just a little bird, flew to the lilac bush resting outside the very window I was staring out of. I watched as the little creature flitted and skittered about on the branch, seeming to soak in the warmth from the sun. He looked so incredibly happy and joyful, I couldn't help but smile. And then the real meaning of winter hit me. As I watched the bird fly from the branch towards the freedom of the clearing blue sky, I began to laugh to myself.

I once thought of winter as a desecrated time in my life that had to hurl itself towards me once a year. But I was wrong. Winter is just another beautiful time in my life, but merely in a different form. Maybe now I can hold respect for this miraculous time of the year. I can get up in the morning and admire the pureness of the glistening snow and smile at the passing birds as they prance in flight. And many now I can create my own little winter wonderland. Just long enough until the first day of spring enlightens me to warmer weather.

Who knew a little bird could hold such influence?

. . .

It's funny, because rereading this, I can admit I still don't like winter or the snow, but I always find a way to enjoy myself regardless. Like now, as I sit here at the computer typing this, I am enjoying the 82 degree weather in Florida. Who said winter couldn't feel like summer?

Merry Christmas everyone. Stay safe and be loved.

Until next time,

Chelsea

 

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