WINTER’S SPLENDOR

 

WINTER: the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox).; the colder half of the year (opposed to summer); a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.

WINTER: waiting for snow. staring at TV reading schools dismissed for the day.  red marshmallow coats on children. canceled flights. weather reports spoken with monotony. lighting the menorah the second night. driving to work behind the salt trucks. papercuts from all the wrapping and unwrapping. hanging the yearly ornament for angel baby #1 and #2. begging ice to melt. wine and turkey softening passive-aggressive insult from relatives. Jazz music and frozen lampposts. lighting the menorah the eighth night. family pictures around a tree for cards meant to be sent on time but everyone knows they won’t reach the mail until well after New Years. snowflakes out of paper and strangers caroling in the neighborhood.