A Winter’s Moment of Warmth

It’s winter, and life sure can become emotionally and mentally – well – hard. Ah, for those fleeting moments of warmth and comfort, right? Well, I had one last Sunday, and I’d like to share.

February in Michigan. What more needs to be said? Temps in the single-digits, gusty winds, salty cars, slush, fleeting sunshine, and more assorted misery. Sure can get in your head, your soul. Hey, ask the folks in the northeastern U.S. They’ll bear witness right about now.

Oh, and by the way, the realities of winter can be stark even if yours is a milder climate. Am I right?

It was 13 degrees when I left for church last Sunday. But at least the wind wasn’t blowing and the sun was shining. Yes, the circumstances could have been much worse; however, that didn’t exactly bring on the “warm/fuzzies.”

Well, there I sat in church, calling upon all available spiritual resources in an effort to elevate my sorry mood. Fact of the matter was, I wasn’t getting much in the way of response. Um, but that changed as a family sitting together to the far left of the auditorium caught my attention.

There they were. Mom and dad sitting in one row, their three daughters settled in the row in front of them. And the moment of enlightenment was all about the girls. I’m guessing “Big Sis” was 11. “Middle Sis” was right at eight. And I’m thinking “Baby Sis” was four.

Enter the warmth. Baby Sis was sprawled across Big Sis’s lap, and she was more than well cared for. So cool – it was obvious Big Sis enjoyed giving every ounce of her attention to Baby Sis. How comfortable and content they both looked. Picture it – Big Sis was gently stroking Baby Sis’s hair, and every so often she’d lean over and kiss her on the forehead. How sweet was that?!

But you know what warmed me the most? It was the look on Big Sis’s face – in her eyes – as she gazed at her sister. Such pride, such care and love.

What an incredibly warm and wonderful moment. I can’t imagine a better cure for the chill of a bitter winter’s day.

And that’s really all there is to tell. No psychobabble, no dissection, no complicated inner explorations – just the moment.

And you know what? These are the moments we all need – routinely, though they sure come in handy when times are especially cold, lonely, and hard. Moments of connection, warmth, comfort, love, security, and sweetness are so good, so right.

‘Course, thing is, one has to be open and available to receive such goodness. I wonder if you are. Heck, I actually wondered if I was. Guess so, though.

And I’m very grateful…