I’m sure many of us have been struggling this week with the early arrival of winter. Technically, winter doesn’t begin until Dec. 21, but if you’ve lived in Indiana for any length of time, you know it really goes from Dec. 1 to March 31 (or into April some years). Heck, we even had snow in early November. And snow = winter, at least in my mind.
When I was in Italy for our pilgrimage in October, we certainly faced some obstacles as I alluded to a couple of weeks ago. I adopted a saying when these instances arose: “It’s all part of the adventure.”
While taking in the sights of Florence on a walking tour during a chilly, rainy evening, my feet started to get wet. I tucked my cold hands into my shirtsleeves – I was wearing a poncho and that was the best I could do. I started to feel uncomfortable, sure, but I reminded myself that I was in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
“It’s all part of the adventure,” I murmured. I focused on our delightful tour guide, Bernardo, and his colorful tales, and soon the rain didn’t bother me as much. And when I returned to the hotel, I knew the hot shower would be unforgettable!
When my heart began to thud as we entered the Catacombs of Rome due to my claustrophobia, I repeated the same phrase in my mind. It’s all part of the adventure. It’s all part of the adventure. I overcame my fear and had another memorable experience.
Longtime readers know that winter isn’t my favorite season. But I also realized years ago that fighting it isn’t smart. We live in Indiana. Like so many things in life, winter is going to happen whether we like it or not. Some of us escape to Florida or other places. But most of us remain in central Indiana year-round.
I’ve written before about my efforts to embrace winter. I’ve grown to appreciate it more as I’ve gotten older. The dark and cold force us to slow down. While I love the long, sunny days of spring and summer, I feel like I’m more “on the go” during those months. There’s nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it’s nice to be home with candles, cover up with a blanket, and read a good book. I even sleep better in winter.
As I took my dogs for a quick stroll earlier this week, I looked around at the gorgeous sights of snow covering the trees, bushes, and rooftops. I carefully dodged the sparkling icy patches on the sidewalk. I admired the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. And I remembered a similar walk in October with less-than-ideal weather where beautiful sights surrounded me.
“It’s all part of the adventure,” I said. While my attitude may not be the same come February, for now, I’ll hold onto this saying and work to see winter as the beautiful adventure it is. I hope you can do that same.
Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.