midnight snow...

twelve am, and the sky is lit like stormy afternoon,

the lights of the city reflect and ricochet off the thick cloud cover,



soft and fluffy flakes of clean, crisp snow

descend silently across the quiet landscape...

the driveway lamps, beaming their rays like solitary Lighthouses,

illuminate the accumulating frozen whiteness,

the stillness is deafening and encompassing,

this sudden winter wonderland

in its as yet unbroken covering...

no footfalls, no human interference with shovel or plow,

a softening blanket to greet early risers...

a whitewash of winters grime,

creates a monotone palette of white and grey...

except for the silent glow of the lamp standards,

I feel alone with my thoughts,

their watchful gaze intersects with mine in these moments

we share this midnight snow,

cherishing our secrets...

privilege...

every situation that comes our way, is an opportunity to rise to the challenge that is lain before us.

another opportunity to face this obstacle and decide that our values and commitment to ourselves and to be the best we can, is what should guide our actions going forward to a resolution...

your best foot forward so to speak, for any mountain in our path only creates the opportunity for

Us to choose how we will react and how we will face the situation..

do we challenge the mountain head on and in the process stretch ourselves, learn and grow, or do we shrink back and attempt the easiest passage possible, thereby missing the inherent lessons available..

do we push our limits and understand that we are more than what we allow ourselves to think we are,

or do we squeak by and never know the power of our spirit and the passions woven into our capabilities..

every moment is given as an opportunity to learn, to take in the experience and to apply that to what we already know... to change, to evolve and to understand that what we do,

and know and feel, must move forward and be transformed in an ongoing process...

this life, this time here in this place, this gift, is meant to be lived and experienced, learned and taught...

our lives are meant to be full and rich with experience and questioning, full of hope and contentment...

but to shy away from any difficult work,

cheats ourselves of the opportunity to experience just who we really are...

stride boldly forward,

arms outstretched and soul hungry

for all that can be gathered in this time we are allotted..

and most importantly...

never underestimate the privilege it is to be You..

anticipation...

as I begin to contemplate what is to come this year,

I find myself relishing the anticipation that has replaced the dread of the last 12 months...

that familiar "on the edge of your seat" heart quickening

what happens next thought process...

the who and when and how will all of this play out,

decisions to be made, pros and cons to be pondered,

and ultimately choices made and changes set in motion...

exciting choices and even more exciting changes,

the blending of lives and their shared dreams,

the opportunity to once again, stretch and grow

and bathe in soul healing Joy...

it is so glorious to feel alive again,

and though external input can only add to that,

it is wonderful to be in this place once more,

where the clouds are completely silver, not just their lining,

where the rain tastes sweet as honey,

and the horizon stretches on infinitely,

full of promise...

I am filled with anticipation for these days,

filled with knowing that all of this,

I deserve...