Winter

I really struggle with winter. Even thinking about it on the hottest summer day makes me cringe a little bit inside.

The cold always seems to arrive too fast, so I never feel ready for it. Most of my life has been spent in much warmer places, and I dream of living somewhere with only an extended fall and no snow to speak of. The more northern latitude also means shorter days (though longer days in summer, which I enjoy!). I don't think I suffer from the "real" S.A.D., at least not in a crippling way. I have my share of mornings where it's hard to get out of bed because I feel like the darkness is closing in - literally. Who ever wants to get out of a warm, comfortable bed anyway?

My neighbor and good friend recently put up her Christmas tree. I remember thinking it was a little crazy, but her reasoning for doing it stuck with me. She said that winter would be a little less depressing if people kept their Christmas lights on for a long time.

I can't deny it. I love the sight of the Christmas tree from her window. I love Christmas lights. I don't like the commercialism of it all and that stores encourage us to spend so much money on things that don't matter. Lights, I can appreciate. They're pretty and they make me happy. I do think it would be really cool if people put up their lights early. The sight of those lights at night might help me forget how cold it is outside.

How will I make it through winter? By looking forward. Right now, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then a new year. Winter is for snuggling under blankets, hot chocolate, and holidays. As long as I do that, take my vitamin D, and stay away from crazy drivers in snow, I should be just fine.

Still, I can't wait for spring!