The chill in the air, the crisp scent of winter, the way frost clings to branches—cold weather isn’t just about temperature; it’s an experience. Some welcome the change, wrapping themselves in soft sweaters, embracing the bite of cold as invigorating. Others retreat, counting the days until warmth returns.
For me, winter was never just a season. It was something to endure.
Growing up in Michigan, the cold stretched endlessly. The gray months felt like a test of patience, each snowfall another reminder of waiting—waiting for spring, for warmth, for renewal. I fought against it, longed for the moment when I could feel the world thaw again.
But there are seasons we expect, and seasons we never see coming.
In the fall of 2021, my world shifted. I lost my husband suddenly, and life, once full of familiar routines and laughter, became something unrecognizable. My home, once vibrant, became silent. My children had grown, moved away, and suddenly, I was navigating grief, solitude, and an entirely new chapter.
Winter came—and for the first time, it wasn’t just about the cold outside. It was the cold within.
❄️ The Challenges of Cold Weather
For many, winter is a season of struggle:
- Icy mornings, frozen windshields, fingertips numb despite layers.
- Shorter days that bring an undeniable solitude.
- The deep cold that lingers, demanding patience.
Winter can be beautiful, but it can also feel unforgiving. For those carrying loss, the season only amplifies its presence.
💭 Finding Meaning in the Cold
Yet winter has a purpose. It teaches resilience, reminds us of contrast, and offers moments of stillness we might otherwise overlook.
Some find peace in winter’s quiet, embracing it as a time to reflect. Others push through, refusing to let the cold dictate their days. And for many, winter is simply a bridge to spring—a reminder that renewal will come again.
For years, I fought against winter. But now, I see it differently.
🌿 Seasons Change—And So Do We
At , life shifted again. A new season arrived—not just in the weather, but in love, in time, in the way life surprises us.
In April 2022, I reconnected with my high school sweetheart—a love from years ago, finding its way back into my life at the very moment I needed it most. What started as reminiscing became something deeper, something healing.
Soon, winters no longer felt isolating. Instead, they were spent in Oklahoma City, where the cold wasn’t as harsh, where warmth wasn’t just in the air but in companionship, in love, in shared time.
Where winter once felt like something to endure, now it was something to embrace.
❄️ The Beauty of Time & Second Chances
There’s something magical about winter:
- The silence after snowfall—a world hushed, blanketed in white.
- The cozy layers, turning the cold into comfort.
- The nostalgia—fireside conversations, holiday gatherings, twinkling lights.
Love in later years is different. It is deeper, shaped by experience and softened by time. And just like winter, this season has taught me something invaluable—sometimes, what we once resisted transforms into something we welcome.
💡 What Winter Has Taught Me
Seasons shift, and so do we.
Where I once dreaded winter, I now embrace it. Where I once fought against its presence, I now welcome the lessons it brings. Because life isn’t just about waiting for spring—it’s about learning to live fully in the season you’re in.
What about you? Does winter feel like a season to endure, or something to embrace? Have you ever found new meaning in something that once felt difficult?
📌 Join the conversation: #WinterReflections #NewSeasons #ColdWeatherThoughts #EchoesOfTheWillow
Leave a comment