Winter~friend and enemy

the last big snowfall (so far) this season, happened while I was working nights. personally, I hate winter. I consider it cold, bleak and colourless. even though, it is technically, the same length as the other seasons,and sometimes, even the shortest, depending on the year, I still hate it. the frosty darkness, seems endless and constantly depressing. Conversely, Max loves it. I will never understand why. I am sure that it has something to do with all the sports stuff, but it does nothing for me. I even tried embracing winter when I was younger, but taking up downhill skiing at age 21. stupid really, but at least I tried. however, arthritis, child-rearing and having a child in a wheelchair, cemented  my hatred of winter. few things have dissuaded me from this stance. even having a winter birthday, made me hate it more. after all, who wants to celebrate a birthday on the last day of the year when you are still recovering from Christmas (what a rip off!)
Yet, this snowfall was different. coming at the end of February, it was a heavier snow; sticky and wet, it clung to every branch and surface. The storm brought in a bracing wind that spread the white stuff everywhere. since the roads had been frequently salted and sanded, this was a fresh cover that beckoned one to play in it. that was until you felt the wind rip through you! even though, it still was a fairy land sight to enter into as we left from night shift. since I was driving against the traffic flow, it was an easy ride home with little stress caused by unsure drivers. all along the way, the trees seemed to be garnished in wedding lace. as a southern Ontario native, you become accustomed to the changes in the seasons, even the changes in the kinds of snow you can expect. any long time resident will tell you that there is a vast difference between a December snow storm and a February one at the end of winter. Still, this one was special. after all, it would have to be to get a winter hater like me to pay attention. All of the trees had a coating of snow on every branch; as if, a snow machine had carefully sprayed each and every one of them. Since we have lived in our house for 25 years now, we actually have mature trees. furthermore, our yard becomes quite thin near the end and with the heaviness of the added weight the snow-ladened branches came together to form an archway. it could have been the exhaustion from night shift, but as I stared at the branches and the picture they made, I almost believed that I had found the doorway to Narnia with the Snow Queen on the other side.

the air was so clean and fresh, yet colourless as if it was a black and white photo. Usually, I thought of the colourlessness as bleak but today it seemed like a new beginning. none of the worminess of the spring showers that would be coming later.
I found out later that Ottawa did not do as well as Southern Ontario with this storm and Connor underestimated the power of winter, giving him enough trials and tribulations to write his own story of winter and its power. I was grateful as I enjoyed this day that I was unaware of his struggles; because for this day, at least, I enjoyed winter and anticipated the coming of spring.