Winter Wonderlands...

Given today's weather in Nashville, I find myself reflecting on "colder" times. Not so much temperature, but more weather conditions. My mom informed me today they are expecting a big snow storm, and in a way, i'm jealous. Sure, my phone says it's 73 degrees out- but it's been over a year since i've seen a winter with a heavy blanket of snow. It's something you learn to appreciate growing up in snowy weather climates. It's funny, people I meet who live here that came from northern climates swear they don't miss the snow. I beg to differ in my case.

For those of you who haven't experienced snow over the duration of time as I have, may not understand. But snow is beautiful. Snow can blanket everything, turning where you live into that fairytale winter wonderland. I've had the luxury of experiencing those storybook movie winters, where the whole world is covered in snow; the roads are empty, and there is a serene calm brought on by snow. I can remember sitting out on my porch a few years ago, late into the night ( or early into the morning, however you look at it) and you can actually hear the snow fall. I mean it. Snow eliminates echoes, it's dense properties act like natural insulation. Snow in heavy amounts is actually warmer than cold atmosphere with no snow. I remember hearing everything; sitting in silence, all by myself, bundled up and drinking hot chocolate. Seems like I lived the stereotypical New England lifestyle, but to me it's all I know.

I miss those days; not thinking twice to drive to the store in a foot or more of snow. And yes, of course the stores were open. I've been to school with 6-10 inches of snow on the ground. Come on now. It was natural, something you came to love to hate. The human condition is programmed to complain about the heat in the summer once we've had enough, and wish for winter. We complain for sun and warmer weather once we've experienced enough cold weather. Me, I love the seasonal changes. I feel like the air is different down here its not worse, just different. To me, nothing feels better than crisp, cold, winter air in a snow storm. Waking up to real snowfall is something you can't describe. Real meaning 6" or more. Total coverage. I moved south at 27 years old, but my last winter in New Hampshire I can still remember waking up, and being excited like it was Christmas morning. Something inside me takes over, and I want to go shovel the driveway, make snow angels, and have a snowball fight. It gets old, sure, but snow is a great catalyst to try something new.

Get stuck in with that special someone; fire place, snow fall, movies and good company. Drives to the store even seem romantic and more dramatic. Snowfall can make the most plain, simplest of hometowns look like movie sets. I miss taking advantage of those times. Wake up and make a big breakfast with the fam, opening all the curtains and let the bright white snow lighten up the house. Food feels better, coffee or hot cocoa tastes better, and everything feels warmer inside. Maybe it's a mindset I have been able to find and hold on to; but I miss it. Even though I have come to enjoy living here in Tennessee, I miss Connecticut and New England often. It was home for 27 years; it's not easy to let go. So, in remembrance of my past, i'll sit on the porch for a while, and remember those times. For if I can only live in them in my mind, it's better than never having experienced them at all.