Winters Perfection

Kris and I are probably prejudiced, but it is a strange day around here when we don't comment on how beautiful it is. Christmas night's peaceful snowfall left an almost painfully beautiful wonderland in its wake. The sparkling snow covered every branch and twig. Each tree was a study in perfection and no matter which direction your eye wandered, the landscapes were a humbling visual treat. We stood in the various barn doors and looked out in different directions. On these winter mornings where the beauty seems to be so painstakingly created just for us, we delay stepping out in the snow as long as possible. Making footsteps in such perfection is not something to be done lightly. Being older now, we realize these days are few and each is to be savored and slowly enjoyed. Your memory cannot recreate this beauty and pictures can only capture a small part. You must see and enjoy it right now. As the sun comes up and the sparkles change colors with the sky, you snap pictures and bundle up in preparation for the cold. You remind yourself that the sun is going to eat the snow and your footsteps are going to be necessary if you are going to see the other sights around the farm before they are gone.
The trees overhang our road and it is gorgeous- straight out of Currier and Ives. The firs out back droop over our narrow woods roads which become snow tunnels that change colors as the clouds change whimsically in the early morning light. The brook at the bottom of the hill is traversed by downed trees and punctuated with rocks and small islands. Some bright green moss will be visible next to the water rushing by. To view these wonders, you have to make footprints and begin the destruction of perfection. So it is sad and wondrous all at the same time. We wander and marvel at the marvelous, until chores nag at our conscience and we caste off the spell the beauty as over us and become our usual practical selves. We lug and haul and desecrate perfect scenes without a thought- except the feeling of being truly blessed and so lucky to be right here and doing what we are.