With permission, I will post it here for you:
Silence.
Not the silence you are used to when the loud things around you are muffled.
Silence.
Standing at the edge of a small clearing in the woods in the dead of winter, silence.
Snow falling all around you without a sound, silence.
It is cold. Really cold. Your warm wool hat, soft fur coat, lovingly knitted scarf and layers of pants can’t keep out the sting of this kind of cold. You feel it in your toes. You feel in your lungs. It is the kind of cold that makes you blink so the moisture in your eyes doesn’t freeze. But you don’t mind. It’s snowing.
The world stands still.
For a moment, you close your eyes to capture it all. You can still feel the snow gently kissing your face. The silence is so apparent it seems to have created its own sound. Each flake of snow silently joining the tapestry of white at your feet seems to emit an indiscernible note of silent music. There is no wind, the trees are still and nothing is scurrying anywhere. Out of habit, your ears strain to hear even a distant sound. But it is quiet.
It is late in the afternoon, and even though the clouds prevent you from seeing it, you know the sun is setting. The dull grey sky grows darker. The snow seems to glow. How long have you been out here? Minutes? Hours? Must be time to go inside. Knowing that moving will break the stillness gives cause for a final moment of silence. Finally with an almost verbal command to your legs, you break from your statuesque position and turn back the way you came.
Following your footprints that are rapidly refilling with fresh snow, the serene silence now complemented by the syncopated rhythm of your boots crunching through the soft blanket of snow, you leisurely walk. You point yourself in the direction of the plume of smoke billowing out of the chimney that represents so many things. A blazing fire. Hot cider. A spot on the loveseat with the love of your life. Your leisurely pace quickens as the cold and wet snow suddenly loses its appeal.
… to be continued
From someone who also loves December, I just can't help but pass this on.
Here's hoping we hear more from "storyteller".
