Welcome Winter

We got about another 4 inches of snow yesterday, and I spent about 2 hours clearing snow from our driveway this morning.  Luckily, I was able to clear the length of the driveway before the snowblower decided it was done for the day, so I only had to shovel our walk, and the wide area of the driveway close to the house (I've saved the turn-arounds for Code-man to do this evening). 

I actually quite enjoy shoveling snow.  It's the perfect mindless physical activity to induce in me a sense of peace.  It makes sense, really, that shoveling would be soothing to my soul.  We were encouraged, when I worked with adults with developmental disabilities, to offer gross motor activities to calm our consumers who had sensory issues, and those scientific types are constantly telling us that exercise promotes manufacture of those "feel-good" hormones: endorphins.  And let's admit it: there is something so satisfying in doing a task in which progress is noticeable and measurable, and completion is attainable.

Today is the first day of winter, although, with all this cold and snow, it certainly seems as if it's been winter for quite some time.  I, for one, am thrilled that, after today, the days will become longer again.  It has been so dark, so cold, so barren, so winter-ish, in so many ways, for so long, and it is fitting that, as we celebrate the arrival of Hope to light our dark world, our days will become more light-filled, hopefully in more ways than one--I hope and pray that the Light will overcome all of the darkness.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2

¹ In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

² He was with God in the beginning.

³ Through him all things were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

⁵ The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

Happy winter, everyone.