Farewell Winter

I have to say it took a bit for my longing -for- spring- heart to get excited about the snow storm that hit  the east coast last week. The storm was suppose to be big. And as we were waiting and prepping for it, I realized how fitting it was for Mother Nature to send us out of the winter season with a beautiful, powdery snow fall.  Her powerful ways- even with how unpredictable they can be- reminded me to be mindful again of this particular season. It is about to end and I needed to take it in and appreciate it for all its qualities, even the harsher ones. These past weeks, I've been downplaying winter in my head too much. I've neglected to remember that it is a special time and it is beautiful and should be cherished and written about as so. So in realizing this, I managed to become blissfully happy about the snow that was approaching us.
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The snow came to our fields and mountains during the early morning hours- which definitely makes for an exciting wake up call. I was actually a bit taken back by the excitement that coursed through me when I first sat up in bed to take a peek out the window. "It came!"... "The snow came!",  I told my sleepy boyfriend who was snuggled in tight beside me.

 I know the finality to this news meant different things to the both of us. To me- it meant pancakes and bundling our baby up to show her the last traces of winter. And to Kyle- it meant managing all his farm duties in the snow.

Despite the harsh conditions--the chickens still needed to be fed. The new baby chicks still needed to be checked on and properly cared for---the greenhouse needed some work done on it---and the veggies needed water.  My farmer is special, I tell you. In fact, all men and women who choose to work outside during the cold of winter and the heat of summer are. This season has made me realize this.

Unfortunately, our winter wonderland didn't stay long. Temperatures here changed pretty quick and by late afternoon all the snow that came our way was melting away. It was as if Spring was emerging right then; like she won the war in the realm of nature. This was her time now. And she expressed this by slowly painting earthy colors over the land around us; completely erasing any signs of her seasons predecessor. Soon the grass was out again and mud puddles were appearing.

Sage ventured through the muddy spots without fear, not even needing my hand for help. She fell a few times and was able to get back up on her own. I really love this about her. My mama instincts, of course, are to help her right when her bum touches the ground, but I'm seeing the value in letting her figure things out on her own. 

She has been showing signs of independence lately by taking walks ahead of us- and also signs of assertiveness, which I'm particularly envious of because I wish I had more of this trait in my own personality. She will tell Simone to STAY! when we are outside, or sometimes she will even tell her to EAT! once her food hits the dog bowl.  

She is bold and ever changing like these seasons, and I absolutely love it.