I find it frustrating when people view winter as a terrible ordeal.
Weather reports convey a sense of doom, treating a few inches of snow as if it were a deadly epidemic, with headlines describing cold air as “crippling” the southwest.
Colder temperatures are a gentle respite, not a violent lash.
The recent bitterly cold weather has brought families, including mine, closer together.
It has fostered a sense of community and elevated the social standing of plumbers and utility workers.
All around the area, water main breaks have led to repairs, prompting rare praise for municipal efficiency when social media is known for its expert complainers.
Winter reminds us of the importance of good plumbing. While schools and offices may close, a frozen pipe can leave you stranded.
The role of a plumber becomes crucial, highlighting their significance over executive vice presidents who can take a week off unnoticed.
The intimacy between couples during cold weather is a social phenomenon without precise statistics. The increased hugging-to-wind-chill ratio and the desire for skin-on-skin contact during chilly nights contribute to a potential rise in the fall birth rate. I’m sure someone has documented this— somewhere.
Winter also brings the benefit of silence, with closed windows muffling sounds. The ticking of an old clock, a family heirloom, becomes a reminder to appreciate the basic fact of existence.
The primary hazard of winter is not the cold temperatures but the danger of icy sidewalks. Luckily, we dodged the ice this time around.
Had we not though, a simple remedy is to stay home until the ice melts, preventing potential injuries and the need for orthopedic surgery.
Beyond aesthetics, the beauty of winter lies in the shared experience.
In Texas, we are not used to the extreme cold, but everyone endures it together, fostering a sense of comradeship.
Despite political and personal differences, the universal challenge of facing extreme cold creates a bond among citizens of winter.
Philosophers say we should consider winter “the night of the year.”
They claim befriending the season involves aligning yourself with its call toward rest and reflection.
Winter can help you feel more alive.
We can also improve our interior life during winter— both in the literal sense of making a house cozier and in the metaphorical sense of turning inward.
Winter gives us time to recharge, plan and put things in perspective.
In his novel, “Travels with Charley: In Search of America,” John Steinbeck wrote, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
As Ecclesiastes tells us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love…”
You know the rest.
Winter gives us the promises of rebirth and regeneration. It gives a promise of warm spring winds.
It assures us that the trees will be green again in June.
Winter provides us these reassurances.
The excitement of the holidays is behind us. The days are shorter than ever. The nights are longer, but this too shall pass.
Despite its flaws, winter bestows blessings that deserve acknowledgment and gratitude.
Here’s to you and a wonderful winter season.