“…the beauty of personal dormancy.” Gail MacDonald
I could get lost in that phrase…the beauty of personal dormancy. Personal dormancy speaks to me on many levels for one thing, it sums up why I’m so enamored with the season of Winter.
I have, I know, an unrealistic view of Winter. I romanticize all things “snow”, but in my defense I live in the deep south and when we get snow it’s a stinkin wonder! A miracle I tell ya! For my entire life my experience has been if snow is predicted in Atlanta a celebratory mood descends. We Georgia natives scurry about getting groceries, making sure we have what we need to make soup or chili, chocolate chip cookies and of course hot chocolate. The local weather person may as well be an archangel giving details about the coming of King Jesus. We shush each other every time they break into a regularly scheduled program to give the scoop on the “Storm of 2010 (just insert any year!). There will be no school. No work. No errands. No driving ANYWHERE for the love of Pete, because Southerners CAN NOT drive in inclimate weather!
We snuggle in and watch as our bleak landscape is covered in the magic of … (usually) less than an inch of fluffy white bliss. Ahhhh, the beauty of Southern Snow…which is unfortunately, as scarce as hen’s teeth.
You can see how easy it is to be born Southern and be completely enamored with snow! But my love of Winter goes deeper. My love of Winter is a soul thing.
In Winter when the world is dormant there is something quite divine going on behind the scenes. Preparation.
The quiet of winter.
The lack in winter.
The stillness in winter.
All in preparation for Spring.
Winter is necessary. Trees and flowers cannot be in bloom in every season. Nor can we.
For some reason I feel a bit more at home during seasons of dormancy. It’s how I’m wired. It’s where I’m content. Secure.
It took me a long time to come to this realization. I spent years berating myself for needing down time. Years trying to emulate others by being super social and super involved, only to burn out and fold up, feeling like a complete and total failure.
These days I’m a little gentler… with me. I more carefully move through each season choosing to accept what each has to offer…this is one of the ways I’ve learned to “manage me”.
Is there a season in which you’re most at home?
PS…if you’re a born and bred Southerner who can in fact successfully maneuver an automobile in the rain, sleet, snow or hail, please accept my sincere apology. I’m just stating the facts as I see ’em. 🙂
Totally identify. Love, love, love it. Beautiful the way you linked winter to your soul.
P.S. We moved our writing meeting up three hours today because of the threat of inclement weather. (Jamie hates the word inclement. 🙂
Love you. Hope you feel better today.
Thanks for the tweet!!
Again, you made me smile. Beautifully written!
Oh my goodness, thank you my dear friend. I need to give myself a break right now. I need to accept where I am at in this season of my life (blizzard–snow stormed in life), hunker down and let myself be tired and let myself rest.
I need coffee time with you! Heather is planning on Sunday. Love you,R
I am the same way…….need to take time to hibernate!!! I could’ve been a BEAR! 🙂
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..It’s a brand new day……the first Wed. of the year, right? =-.
I am most at home in the summer. That is when I am my most active on the bicycle and going places. If I was to pick most at home for slowing down and quiet I would say winter. It is too hilly for me to ride my bike in the bitter cold so I stay in a lot and do jigsaw puzzles, watch movies and read.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Being Real =-.
Love this post, Robin. It’s snowing here in SE Wisconsin, 12+ inches predicted by late tomorrow night. I’m settled in to watch and write.
.-= Jean Fischer´s last blog ..She Called Me "Snookie" =-.
Such a well thought out personal guide for living and understanding yourself. I am a bit of a contradiction… I too crave this quiet and introspective time that winter affords us… but I feel so much more “alive” with a bit of warmth from the sunshine… its -10 but with a stiff wind and blowing snow it now feels like -35 and yes, we have school!
I appreciate your perspective as always, and will remember your phrase… the beauty of personal dormancy! Its much more positive than what tends to happen for me “hibernation!”
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..But then this happened… =-.
This really speaks to me today. It snowed 8 inches last night and we are supposed to get lots of wind and drifting snow. So, it looks like we’re not going anywhere for a couple days. At first, I was so mad at the snow and cold. (I should have been born in the south!!) But, today I am starting to realize the gift of our snow day. We did a laid back homeschool morning by the fireplace. We’ll make cookies this afternoon and then I’ll curl up in my chair and read…or nap! I’m going to like this winter day of rest for the soul.
.-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Great Links To Help Organize Your New Year! =-.
I love winter . . . Right now I live in Western Michigan so we see plenty of snow — last year 140+ inches!! But I have also lived in Southern Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. Winter has always been one of my favorite seasons.
I love the excuse to stay home, to just be in my home with no pressing project. I love the comfort foods, wearing bulky clothes, watching movies, reading and playing games.
Oh dear Robin! For SOOOO may years I have fought against winter, cold, snow, etc. I wanted SOOOO bad to live in the south, have warm weather 90% of the time, be able to be OUTSIDE EVERY day! Now, as I get older, I appreciate the change of seasons so much more. I am still most comfortable in Summer, life outside on the deck, meals outside, the windows open, frsh air! But now I also like to hibernate alittle and drink hot chocolate and READ! I also ADORE fall now! You are SO intuned with yourself, it is so refreshing. God bless you. and I HOPE you get SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky
Hey Robin! Just read Pinky’s comment. Want some snow? I can send some your way!!
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Warts and All =-.
I’m planted in front of my kitchen window watching some snow falling!!!! Oh I pray it keeps up and sticks!
I so appreciate your post. I am a born and bred girl in Mississippi so your words speak so true to my heart. While I am one of those that can handle the driving conditions I would not apologize for speaking the truth of southern drivers in winter weather :).
Blessings,
Lisa
LOLOLOL! Again I could have written this post – well…not as beautifully but the sentiments are the same. When we have a snow day I tell all the kiddos it’s a gift from God! LOL And everything comes to a screeching halt when we get a dusting as well! I’m sure the East Coaster’s laugh at our piddly inch but we have HILLS darn it! 🙂
Hey I am in N. GA and just wanted to tell you it is snowing and sticking. I would like to make a gift of all this snow to you. Now come get it and take it away..I would deliver it but I know how bad the drivers are in my town and I am scared to leave the house….lol.
My favorite time of year just passed. Fall. There is something about the leaves changing color and the air getting crisp that breaths life back into me after the summer has melted it out. I look forward to that time of year so much. It makes me feel so alive that it almost feels like my soul hums. Winter would be my 2nd favorite. I love coming outside to the first frost when it feels like the morning is frozen in time. Winter always bring the quiet feeling that I need after the excitment of fall….Its also my relaxing time before the busy times of Spring and Summer.
.-= Cas´s last blog ..Pot Roast & Not Homemade Oreos =-.
Oh Robin, your post is so cute and funny. Me being a G.R.I.T.S. (girls raised in the South – for you Northern girls), I can certainly agree with you. I have lived in North Florida all my life and only seen snow here twice and only once did it actually stick which was Christmas eve 1989). The streets were empty. Lots of stores closed, bridges closed and lots of people didn’t make it to the annual Christmas eve parties or even dinner the next day. It was pathetic. But you have to remember we don’t have snow plows and no-ones ever driven in ice or snow here. We were snow bound in less than an inch. LOL. It was very exciting and memorable.
Even though I have never lived around snow and could often go to beach on Christmas day, I still associate Christmas with snow, in other words a white Christmas.
I enjoyed the post. Thanks and hugs…Tracy 🙂
.-= Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute´s last blog ..A New Decade Begins – Who Will You Serve =-.
Well, I just absolutely loved this post. Honestly, I’m reading this and the light bulb is going off……I LOVE Winter, always have!! I live in Alberta, Canada & we get snow, ice, cold temps for several months of the year. Everyone complains, but I quietly rejoice when the white stuff flies! I too have come to realize that its okay to “allow” myself to accept Winter and its dormancy, not be a social butterfly, hunker down with that book in front of the fire and let Winter take its course. Oh, and even when its -40 and the snow flies and the wind blows, our schools stay open because they don’t want to loose funding ~ no one but the Teachers show up (poor souls) but the school is open in case students did try to go. 🙂 Our kids always loved these days off; its usually too cold to do anything but stay in your jammies all day and do nothing. Lovely Lovely Day!!
Thanks again for the great post 🙂
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..My Digital Studio!! =-.
Robin, I agree with you…I need a time to pull back, to spiritually and physically renew during the winter. Even though I KNOW it is necessary, I can’t say I enjoy it. In fact, I was thinking about this very thing this week and asking God to help me be patient with the season. Time passes quickly enough! I grew up in Northern VA where winters were mild. I have lived in WI my whole adult life which means a full 3 months of snow and ice. But I think real winter makes me appreciate the other seasons that much more.
My favorite season is Spring, so full of hope, and expectation. The days are getting longer, the school year is winding down, the effort to get out the door is easier–less bundling, the sun is out more, ah…I get excited just thinking about it!
I love reading your posts, Robin.
.-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Wet Mittens and Boots Solution =-.