April 2003 Issue - Essay # 5
An
Early Frost
By Nancy Jackson
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Stepping out of winter into
spring reminds me so much of the scene from Wizard of Oz where Dorothy
first enters into the strange yet vividly colorful new world.
After months of bare branches, white streets and lawns, and
bundling up in layers of clothing, a fresh new world brightens our
souls, sloughing away the winter blues. This year, the snow didn’t
seem to want to melt away and I became frustrated.
I missed the sunshine, I longed to run outside and get back to my
active days. The depression
had set in quickly this year; my favorite time of year, autumn, had been
cut short by the cold weather setting in.
Walking the streets on Halloween night, the first snow fell,
bringing a quick end to trick-or-treating.
It was only one night a year and the snow just couldn’t wait.
Talk about disappointment! I attempted many times to
find the positive advantages to an early frost.
While it wasn’t easy, I did find comfort in newly fallen snow.
Staring out the window, there was a fluffy blanket settled over
the lawn without a footprint or flaw in sight.
A small smile formed upon my lips as I realized it stirred my
heart from deep within. Taking
a walk, I found the chill almost unbearable until I began a snowball
fight with a neighbor, making me forget all about how cold I was.
An hour later we both realized it was time to warm up by the
fire, drinking hot cocoa and we each left for home.
I thought to myself, okay, so there were a few nice things about
winter after all. By far the most glorious
moment was waking up Christmas morning, feeling like I was in a real
live Hallmark greetings card. The
tree was surrounded by dozens of presents, stockings were filled to the
top, and the fire was blazing. Out
the window was a beautiful picture of purity and innocence.
Snowflakes fell as if poetry in motion.
Tears fell from my eyes as I felt like a witness to a beautiful
miracle. Everything was just
as it should be. I jumped
up, clapping my hands, and let out a yelp. I couldn’t imagine
Christmas morning any other way! By the third full month of
winter I again found myself frustrated. I prayed for an ending to this
white madness threatening to take away all my sanity and fun.
I longed for the feeling of freedom.
I felt winter had placed chains upon my soul, locking me away
from life and all its joys. Within
days it seemed those prayers were answered.
Rooftops dripped the remains of the snow, and I saw the first
signs of spring. How glorious! Running
outside I inspected for clues of the coming of Mother Nature’s
beautiful gifts. It was by
the stump of the tree I spotted a vibrant violet flower poking its head
out. I breathed in the fresh
air and let it fill my lungs to full capacity.
I felt alive and renewed, awakened by the promise of a colorful
world just around the corner. I
looked up into the sky, seeking out faint blue patches and shouted
“thank you” to extend my appreciation. Within a few weeks the world
became a filled in palate of colors. A portrait of new life, new
beginnings, and incredible scents of flowers, trees, and plants.
I fell to the emerald green grass, rolling like a dog with
serious fleas. Laughing, I
placed my arms behind my head and looked into the blue sky, listening to
the birds singing as they welcomed the spring as well.
I was finally able to put away that old winter coat, hat, and
mittens and substitute them for a light sweater that allowed the gentle
breeze to brush past me, sending my spirits soaring, touching me with
the warmth of the sunshine. It
felt so good to smile I thought I had forgotten how.
My heart beat stronger and I was bursting with energy. My neighbor and I got
together that day and took a small hike to the creek.
The water gurgled and bubbled as we skipped the stones and chewed
on the crisp tall grass. We
imagined ourselves in a beautiful field, right out of Anne of Green
Gables, walking along the shores of Avonlea.
Laughing freely we chased butterflies and played tag.
I was amazed at the difference I felt.
There was a spring and a bounce in my step that I had missed.
The world was whole again, feeling balanced and complete.
I never wanted this feeling to end. While I
know it is the way
of our world to accept the changes and appreciate what each season brings to us, it never
ceases to amaze me how sometimes it takes the
coming of spring to really see the beauty.
An enchanting world surrounding me, and it takes the season of
birth and renewal for me to understand it.
It's like opening my eyes for the first time.
I look at things in a new light, fresh with confidence and
wonder. Without a doubt,
spring is worth the long, cold winter wait. The coming of this precious
season gives me a new sense of hope and brings back the innocence of my
youth. |
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Author's Biography Nancy
Jackson is a full-time author and poet with works in Literati, Twilight
Times, Chocolate for a Teen's Soul, Philosophical Mother, various
anthologies, and a six-book series due out late spring.
E-mail Nancy at coryann93@yahoo.com
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