It is February and the Artic Blast with a capital A and B is coming through our part of the world. It is so cold that it hurts to be outside. There is no doubt about it, Winter is here to stay, at least for the time being. A few weeks ago, I heard about a beaver that has been traveling back and forth between some icy ponds by our place. If you don’t know that much about beavers, which I wouldn’t unless I lived here, they are supposed to be well into their hibernation slumber by now. But this one’s up! I worry that some non-beaver lover or distracted driver will hit him with their car. I hope the little guy makes it. We’re all in this together and I know how he feels.
Personally, I’m ready for Spring. I remember when I first moved to Wyoming for graduate school, I was so excited to see the snow fly in September. I was giddy like a school girl. I couldn’t wait to go out and play in it and feel the snowflakes falling on my eyelashes. Corny, I know, but for a California girl…it sounded wonderful! Come late November, I was sick of Winter. Actually, Winter hadn’t technically started yet. There was still about a month to go. I walked into to our psychology office and told the secretaries I was tired of Winter. They looked at each other and laughed and then one of them said to me, “Silly California girl. There’s more to come.” Yeah…that was a long year. It snow in early June. That was just wrong.
But apart from the dangerous blizzards and the wind-chill advisories, there is something beautiful about Winter. It is a time to hibernate. It’s a time to let things be dormant and quiet so we can rest, information can “simmer” within us so we can awaken once again in the Spring ready to grow and flourish into ourselves. I love the waiting and I hate waiting. This is why a part of me really resonates with the non-hibernating beaver. I know how he feels. He wants to get on with Spring. He wants to play. He wants to feel the sunshine on his back and smell the flowers. I do too. But, wait I must. And since there’s no place to go…. let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Christianne Lysne 