Grateful for Winter

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was within me an invincible summer. -- Albert Camus

We are at that point in winter where it seems like it will last forever. The kids have had an entire week off from school (due to snow and ice and sleet and you-name-it) and we are under another "winter storm watch" for tomorrow and the next day.

I love snow; don't get me wrong. I grew up on the white stuff. I truly enjoy a good blizzard and relish the downtime with my family as we are forced to stay home together.

But it is also right around this time that I feel the first faint stirrings of longing for summer. Longer days. Icy lemonade. Legs dangling in water. Popsicles and barbeques.

And as I reflected today, I understood that summer joy would be meaningless without winter pain.

The ice and snow blanket the earth; I long for the first peek of daffodil heads.

Coats and gloves and scarves and boots are mandatory; I crave the freedom of bare feet.

Nights are long and still and empty; I yearn for the dance of the fireflies in the waning light.

Right around this time it almost seems impossible that summer will ever come back. But it will.

And in the midst of pain, it almost seems like joy has fled our presence forever.

Yet how can we ever define joy without the bitter taste pain? How can we truly experience life unless we have a knowledge of death?

In my darkest moments my heart aches at the absence of joy. The pain intensifies my longing. And when the pain subsides, and joy enters my heart again, I revel in it.

And so, I am grateful for the pain I have tasted in my life. And today I will be grateful for the winter. Because in my winter I can dream of summer. And when summer arrives, it will be that much sweeter.