When it comes to winter, it turns out I'm kind of a bear -- I hibernate. I realized it for the first time today, which is the really the first day so far in 2011 that feels like Spring. I didn't need a coat, the high will be in the mid 60's today (18 C), and there are low, thick gray clouds that look like they might start spitting a lovely, soft rain shower. And I'm surprising myself with my abundance of energy.
This winter has been abnormally harsh. For the entirety of January, we experienced snowstorm after snowstorm, with plenty of sleet and ice thrown in for good measure. The schools were closed so often it's probable that the children won't be getting out for summer vacation until July. For me, all of this had the effect of making me increasingly tired and gloomy. When it's dark and cold and snowy for weeks on end, I lose the desire to do much of anything except eat and sleep and wait for it to be over. Especially now that I have a longer commute to and from work, my days would look something like this:
Wake up at 6:30 (accompanied by much groaning)
Drive to work
Work
Drive home
Eat
Maybe read or study for the GRE
Go to bed by 9:00 or 9:30.
Some nights I've fallen asleep even earlier, overcome with drowsiness and unable to keep my eyes open (last night I fell asleep at 7:30). I'm probably averaging around 10 hours of sleep every night. And I definitely do not do anything strenuous enough during the course of my day to justify so much sleep. I haven't been exercising and rarely exert myself beyond getting some boxes of paper from our storage closet at work.
But today feels different!
I feel like my inner bear, after a mighty yawn, is alert and shaking off the shackles of winter. She wants to emerge from her cave of sleep and gloom and explore the new possibilities and smells of springtime. She wants to scamper and play and sniff out some honeycomb. She wants to savage a hiker or two, just because she can. She feels alive.
Ah, it's good to be back. I know the winter isn't totally over yet -- apparently it might have another storm or two for us before the end -- but it's really good to wake up and realize that winter hibernation is only for a season.
Thank God for change. For everything, there is a season. That's always a comforting thought.
1 comments:
I am right there with you. and after a wonderful week of warm temperatures, yesterday the snow was awful and it was one of the most treacherous drives I had all winter. Can't wait for the real spring!
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