I love the seasons, but not equally. I have come to accept winter, and even enjoy it, at least more than I did when I was growing up.

I grew up in Midway, Utah in a wonderful old pioneer home built in the late 1800’s. The farmhouse started out as a two room dwelling that had been added onto many times over its history. The original dwelling is made of native pot-rock and those deep walls provided natural insulation against the cold and the heat, but the windows, also from the pioneer era, let in a mighty draft when the snow started to blow. In Midway we got a lot of snow. There were times when it drifted over my head and up to the windows of that old house. Getting to the door required walking through a tunnel of snow and ice, painstakingly removed from the walkway with my Dad’s shovel and a lot of persistence. The path to our barn was icy, and seemed much longer in the winter months, as we traversed it to care for our livestock.  It was so cold waiting for the yellow school bus in the mornings that my breath would freeze before it could leave my nose. So it is no small wonder, I suppose, that I didn’t like winter much. It meant long hours spent indoors, bundled in sweaters, waiting for spring to come, so I could head back outdoors to climb trees, ride horses, and work in my parent’s garden, and go camping and fishing.

Fall represented the end of summer to me and nothing more. The return of sunflowers meant the return of school days. The reds and oranges meant the return of snow and dark winter days ahead.  I am not sure when I became wild about fall…when it became my favorite season. It happened gradually, like the changing of the leaves. But now, I look to the mountains in late August, searching for the most subtle changes in hue. Looking forward to the stunning reds, oranges, and yellows and muted browns. A drive up one of our magnificent canyons is a tradition. Vivaldi’s Four Season’s is the perfect companion for such an excursion.  It always leaves me in awe of the beauty of Utah and feeling grateful that we have four seasons.  Sure, I know that the snow will follow. This year, it came early. But, I have come to enjoy the beauty and stillness of winter as well. I enjoy warm fires, fuzzy socks and sweaters, and crisp frozen mornings that catch your breath. I have learned to treasure the moments of life…even the cold and dark ones.