Winter Wonderland

Winter. For the past several years, I have loathed winter and all that's associated with it. Cold. Ice. Snow. Crappy driving conditions. And (ugh!) worst of all, Christmas. The obligation of Christmas cards, presents, family "togetherness", and cheerful dispositions just filled me with a sense of dread and despondency. Bah, Humbug!! I just wanted to get through it all and into the New Year, where I could hope for a change. Christmas Spirit? What's that?? I lost mine nearly ten years ago, with the death of my Grandpa, who lived for the Christmas season.

Things have changed this year, finally! I've actually been *gasp* excited for Christmas!!!!! The biggest change is that I will be celebrating Christmas with my best friend and his family. And this week, I was astounded to find myself merrily filling out Christmas cards (with a personal message in each, like I used to long ago), and having to staunch my exceedingly cheerful disposition at work since my supervisor was in a decidedly bad mood all week.

And today, waking up to this Winter Wonderland, I found myself smiling. Smiling!! I felt like a little kid again, waking up to a fantastic new world. It's the perfect fluffy snow, the kind where you can see the individual flakes when they land on your dark gloves or jacket. And though I'm not a huge fan of shoveling, I relished the half an hour I spent out there, stopping often to gaze in amazement at the snow-laden trees and wonder at the unique beauty of each tiny snowflake. How could I have forgotten just how wonderful winter can be?

So, I am vowing that at least once this winter, I will play in the snow with people who have not forgotten the joy of doing so. I will participate in any snowball fight that occurs in my general vicinity. I may even start one!! I will make at least one snow-angel. I will get completely caked in snow at least once. And most of all, I will reclaim that joy that every child has when waking up to a Winter Wonderland.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?
In the lane snow is glistenin'.
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight.
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird.
Here to stay is a new bird.
He sings a love song, as we go along.
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he is Parson Brown.
He'll say "Are you married?" We'll say "No, man!
But you can do the job when you're in town!"

When it snows, ain't it thrillin'?
Though your nose gets a chillin'!
We'll frolic and play the Eskimo way.
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown.
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman,
Until the other kiddies knock him down!

Later on we'll conspire,
As we dream by the fire,
To face unafraid, the plans that we made.
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland!!

And yes, I just typed those lyrics out from memory...