Monday, February 7, 2011

Moments That Take Your Breath Away

Winter and I are not friends. Maybe a long time ago we were, but not anymore. Things have changed.

In fact, as I've gotten older, our relationship has pretty much dwindled to nothing.

You might even say we're borderline enemies.

I detest everything about it: the bone chilling gusts of wind, the slush that splashes all over the back of my pants no matter HOW carefully I try to walk, the obese, wet flakes that always manage to land directly in my eyes (don't ask), the fact that not only do I feel like the abominable snowman in my winter jacket, but I can't MOVE because it's so darn COLD... the list could go on forever...

Despite ALL of this though--every single winter, without fail--when the sky breaks open and releases those first few flurries of the season, I always stop in wonder and just watch.

And I remember.

Remember the good times. The happiness. The breathless anticipation of actually waiting for that blizzard to show up... I mean, come on... how can you possibly go sledding without snow? What else is there to live for when you're six?

But it's all it takes to remind me. AND inspire me. Because on that freezing, snowy day, I wrote like there was no tomorrow.

There's beauty in everything, especially the things we've long forgotten, but we're usually too busy to stop and notice. Our lives are so hectic, our days are filled with work and chores and responsibilities... but don't forget those moments that take your breath away.

What has taken your breath away lately? Have you been inspired by something unexpected? Show of hands--who has snow and hates it? Loves it?

37 comments:

MTeacress said...

I'm torn between love it and hate it, but our winter has been mild this year (unlike the rest of the US).
Something that took my breath away - my daughter wrote a song and sang it for us on her guitar last weekend. Blew me away. I didn't know she could do that. I cried!
Have a great week. :)

Jennifer Hillier said...

Snow actually inspires me, too, but unfortunately I don't see much of that living in Seattle. Luckily rainy days make for great writing, too... just wish there weren't so many of them! :)

Misha Gerrick said...

Every morning, I look out over the sea and the back of Table Mountain. Every day it takes my breath away because it's a little different.

:-)

Unknown said...

My feelings exactly, due to my age, and you are right, there is the possibility of enjoyment still. Our medieval market town in the snow was beautiful.

Áine Tierney said...

We had proper snow in Ireland this winter - and I loved it! Until it began to melt and get slushy, so it was great to see the back of it too.

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Sounds corny, but my kids still take my breath away. Just like your snow, sometimes they fight, frustrate me and can be an all-out pain in the rump but there's no getting around how amazing they are and how much they inspire me:)

vic caswell said...

the sky always takes my breath away, clouds, stars, clear-bright-blue: it doesn't matter, it's magnificent!
but i H.A.T.E. the snow! and the cold! like you, i used to love it- and i still like to look out at it from somewhere warm. i think it's probably the raynnaud's syndrome, but i just loathe the snow anymore! have a great day! and stay inspired! :D

Joanne said...

What I love about a cold, snowy winter is its inclination to keep me home, and writing! A snowstorm takes my breath away, as does a beautiful summer beach. I guess each season has its own beauty ...

Tara said...

I grew up in S. FL, so it was quite an adjustment to get used to the winter in NC. I'm not a fan of cold _at all_, but I sure love a pretty snowfall, and sledding with my kiddos.

Liza said...

I always smile at the first snow. Beyond that, you can have it. The sun reflecting on the water in the late afternoon always takes my breath away.

Saumya said...

Snow is gorgeous but walking through gray, sad slush is not fun! It seems like a lot of us are craving warmth and color when February comes around. There is something about the cold that makes you want to get cozy and write ;)

Ann said...

Oh to be six. When the world was filled with wonder all around us. I love that first snowfall too. Just magical. After that though I am with you when it comes to winter!

Jai Joshi said...

The absuridity of certain situations has taken my breath away recently. I'm definitely seeing the funny side of things.

The only thing I like about winter is being warm and cozy inside. i hate going out in the cold and having to waear layers and layers of clothes.

Jai

Southpaw said...

I love snow, but I didn’t grow up with it.

Wendy Lu said...

I absolutely love snow...there's always a magical aura that comes with a winter wonderland.

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry, still love it! Wish it was snowing right now.

J.B. Chicoine said...

I get excited everytime it snows, but then, I don't leave the house if I can help it. Why does something so beautiful have to be so COLD?!

Yet, there is something about it that reminds me of being a kid and getting a snow day. I can see how you might snuggle up and write up a storm. I know I have--either that, or pull out the paints...

Donea Lee said...

I love to watch it, the bigger the flakes, the better! And when my world is freshly covered in fluffy white...it's beautiful. But, like you - it's the slush, the dirty melted down snow, ice and the COLD that sometimes get to me... :)

The Words Crafter said...

I can so relate to this post!!!! When we were children, we didn't have the scary drive to work to think about, or the bills the needed to be paid. I think so much gets tainted by the realities of life that we forget that there is beauty and wonder all around us. We just have to stop and see it...

Oh, you brought back some great memories.....thanks :)

Melissa Gill said...

I've grown VERY tired of winter this year. Especially by February. But I was at the library Saturday and there's a big hill behind it where the kids like to sled. I planted myself right in front of the window so I could look up from writing for kids and look at the kids sledding. You can't do that in June.

Anonymous said...

I will agree. Winter is not my favorite time of the year. In SC, snow is not much of an issue, but when it comes I cringe. I work for the post office and any precipitation is bad when it comes to delivering the mail, lol.

Take my breath away: At the moment, life and all it's glowy. Everyday is a precious eye opener.

Janet Johnson said...

I like this! Rainy days are like this for me. I just want to snuggle down and write and write.

Terri Tiffany said...

There's beauty in everything, especially the things we've long forgotten, but we're usually too busy to stop and notice.

So very true! I am trying to slow it down and enjoy more around me. The cooler days, the storms that wake me at night and the exctiement of a hot lazy day at the beach:)

Henya said...

Yeah...we have snow here...but not today, thank goodness. And if we want to be philosophical, we can also say that there is exquisiteness in it alright, some kind heavenly aspiration for all things to come.

But I can either take it or leave it. There's no real bond there between us.

Plamena Schmidt said...

I love snow! I was born on a dark and snow stormy night, so I kind of associate it with myself : P

Anonymous said...

I'm in Florida, but I grew up in New York. I remember loving and hating the snow. Watching it from the window, I was hypnotized. And it was a great time to drink cocoa and read books. But the freezing cold and slippery streets weren't fun.

Missed Periods said...

I really don't like being cold. My nose gets all red and my skin turns purple. It's not very attractive. I like warm and humid.

Robert Guthrie said...

I'm so sad to be missing all the epic snow back east. Grass is green and some trees are budding here in Washington state, oddly way north of Massachusetts where I left...

Creepy Query Girl said...

I'm not ashamed of it. I love winter and show. It's my second favorite season. Autumn's my first. SPring is my least favorite- all that rain!

Rachna Chhabria said...

I absolutely love the snow, though living in India I have not seen snow ( it doesn't snow here.)I love winters, I work harder during winters.

JE said...

I hate snow. Well, I hate cold. But even through that, when I go outside after a snow storm, I'm in awe. I love the way things glisten. Natures beauty, of any kind, takes my breath away.

~JD

Talli Roland said...

I hate it. HATE! I moved to London to escape the snow, that's how much I hate it!

Margaret said...

Late to the party, I'm afraid. I lived in snow as a child. I remember liking it until it turned into gray slush that always got in my boots.

Julie Musil said...

Although it's freezing, I'm sure it's beautiful. I live in So Cal, and I think I'd fall apart if I had to live through a real winter. I'm bundled up in my house right now, and it's 60 outside. I'm a wimp. But yes, it's important to stop, focus, and enjoy the beautiful things in life.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I don't get snow here, so of course I love it ;)

Unknown said...

I just want to say that is one of the most beautiful things i have ever read..

hosted BES said...

I love every aspect of what nature has endowed on us. Though as you mentioned I don't get time to notice the small things that can just revive my whole spirit but still i try to see and feel joy and fun in everything that comes on my way1- be it my work, by it my responsibilities everything is just so close to me and makes me what I am today! Thanks for that wonderful blog! Nostalgic it was! Keep blogging!