Winter up here in these northern states get to be a bit intense. However, this past winter seriously has to have been the worst. Winter. Ever. Oh my. It brought everything and stayed for a long, long time. Here's just a little taste of what we experienced: 25+ inches of snow OVER our snowfall record last made in 1978 (!!!), every kind of flu/cold/what-have-you entered this house, passed around to friends and family and back again to us, CABIN FEVER, really cold temperatures, everlasting icy roads and sidewalks (you know it's been a long winter when slipping on the road while driving feels a bit too natural), and overwhelming amounts of sad events in people's lives in all of my various communities, to top it off. This was a hard winter to process on so many different levels. I should mention, though, that there were good bits of news of a few babies that were born and they helped bring in some hopeful light to this long winter.
But, we survived! We supported each other with phone calls, sending flowers, having baby showers, hosting dinners, coffee dates, and much, much more. There's still a bit of darkness lingering, but with this warm(er) weather and new life sprouting around us brings me a feeling of hope and fresh starts to a brighter season. There are weddings to look forward to, babies to welcome, a new house to move into, Saturday morning farmers market, getting more involved with our community, ... the list goes on! It is finally warm enough that the windows are open, the heat turned off (during the day), the grass is working on turning green, the trees are budding, the crocuses are out (that Ben so happily stomped on when I was just out of arms-reach ... oops!), and we are spending every moment that we can outdoors playing.
Spring has never felt so good!
3 comments:
Some of our Ann Arbor friends all decided to learn how to make maple syrup last year. They say it really helps with the time of year that is so long up there -- waiting for spring. That's the time to make maple syrup, and the temperature has to be just right for making it, so it makes them grateful for the cold to linger on a bit during that time of year.
Hopefully this winter was the worst you'll have for a while.
I am glad that spring has finally arrived. For me, it is the ability to grill again.
Hello Claire -- Rachel here. (We spent 8 years going to Music Camp together, and one year living down the hall from each other in college, but to this day, our most likley thing in common is AnnaMarie.)
Found your blog... checking out your life, (what a beautiful son you have!) and just wanted to say hello!
And AMEN to the spring post. I realize my "harsh winters" are nothing like yours... I can't even imagine (its been 13 years since I lived in a northern state with lake-effect snow.... I'm a midwestern wienie now.) But still, spring feels good no matter what the location. Enjoy it!
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