I will be the first to admit I have done my fair share of complaining about winter weather in North Dakota. My mom told me as a child that God accidentally put me in the wrong family. What reassuring words. Actually, she said I belonged on a California beach instead of the frozen tundra in North Dakota. I was stuck in the North Dakota family God perfectly placed me in. However, I had big plans to get out of here when I was a kid. And I did for short while, only to quickly return to my frozen homeland.
So here it is, December. I am closing in on 35 years old. The wind is howling. It rained today. Then it froze. Now it’s going to snow. I am still here.
But I don’t hate winter like I used to. With age is the bitter cold growing on me? Not really.
In this season of life, winter has more purpose and fulfillment now. Part of it is a lot of the stress of winter including hectic winter travel from my former career jobs have been lifted. I am home 95% more than in the past. But mostly, winter is fun-filled because of the boy that is our son.
Tonight he played trumpet in the band at the high school Christmas music concert.
He sang with the “Santa singers” and also with the choir, numerous Christmas favorites that put the meaning into the reason for the season.
An advantage of a small town school is everyone is in activities together. 7th grade through 12th grade boys sang “O Come O Come Emmanuel” together.
Tomorrow starts his favorite time of year, basketball season. Yes, it is in the winter with a big winter storm coming right at us. But he doesn’t care. He just wants to play with his team and coaches. And he wants to win.
The smile. The singing. The playing. It melts away the cold winter.
Our boy makes winter a wonderful time of year. He warms me with his joyous music and excitement for a new season with a fresh start. I am grateful to still be here, in the winter, on the North Dakota prairie, where I can be warmed in a frigid season.
What activities warm up your winter?
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