Sunday, December 25, 2011

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Today is Christmas! I'm back in Vancouver for a while to spend Christmas with my son and friends. It's balmy here. We drove country up to Whistler to find snow. It reminded me of a snowy Christmas I'd had several years ago in Vancouver and here's what I posted...

...A few days ago, on the Winter Solstice, a dump of snow covered the Earth in white billows. Huge flakes drifted down from heaven like confetti in a breeze.

We are having a white Christmas—the first in over ten years here in Vancouver (on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada). And I love it.

I love how the snow wraps everything in a blanket of soft acceptance. How it creates a dazzling face on a dark Earth. How it refuses to distinguish between artificial and natural. It covers everything—decorated house, shabby old car, willowy trees, manicured lawn—beneath its white mantle. I love how it quiets the Earth. Have you ever gone for a walk in the fresh snow? Boots crunching… snow glistening in the moonlight…

Snow is magic.
It reveals as it cloaks. Animals leave their telltale tracks behind their silent sleuthings.

Snow is playful.
It beckons you to stick out your tongue and taste the clouds. Snow is like an unruly child. Snow is the trickster. It stirs things up. Makes a mess. It is the herald of change, invigorating, fresh and wondrous. Cars skid in it and squeal with objection. Grumpy drivers honk their horns, impatient to get home; while others sigh in their angry wake. Boys (of all ages) venture outside, mischief glinting in their eyes, and throw snowballs. Others, fearful of the chaos and confusion that snow brings, hide indoors out of the cold.

Snow is Christmas.
It brings out the best and the worst in people. The Christmas season—whether you are a Christian celebrating the birth of Jesus or of another faith celebrating the season of Joy and Giving—provides each of us with the opportunity to be exactly who we are and who we are meant to be. It is a time to be genuine. A time to be sincere. A time to be REAL. A time to make the best of our lot and be thankful: whether we are celebrating a turkey feast with a family we don’t get along with, alone in a new town, or working the night shift in a busy firm. It is a time to be thankful for the gifts we have been blessed with, even the hardships. Especially the hardships. For they are ours to carry. Ours to make into something wonderful.


MERRY CHISTMAS everyone!




Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of novels, short stories and essays. She coaches writers and teaches writing at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. For more about Nina’s coaching & workshops visit www.ninamunteanu.me. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for more about her writing.

5 comments:

  1. Dear Nina: Thank you for taking me on my experiential journey into 'dream' of the "Winter Wonder Land". The visuals enveloped my distant memories of childhood and loved your description of "I love how the snow wraps everything in a blanket of soft acceptance". Wonderful, descriptive narrative of peace and tranquility - which brings to mind my own relationship with my beloved cat, unconditional love.

    Yes, snow has many faces doesn't it where "white upon white" has eluding boundaries.....unless juxtaposed with objects and colour: people, buildings, animals to give definition! Nature, is quite spectacular if only we take a moment to capture it for our souls to enjoy...much like your creative writing you share with others!!! My thoughts! Vanessa

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  2. Thanks for your lovely comments, Vanessa ...

    You describe snow well too. Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Nina

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  3. Thanks, Jean-Luc! I had a wonderful Christmas ... rich with family, visits with old friends, and the Christmas spirit of joy, friendship, giving and sharing... no snow, though ... not this year... :)

    Hope your Christmas was wonderful, Jean-Luc!

    Best,
    Nina

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