It seems as if everything is holding it’s breath, frozen. Like the Big Hand in the Sky has hit the pause button. Nothing is moving forward and it’s cold, rainy, and grey. Most of the trees and vines have shed their leaves, and they too have turned an organic grey.

Texans keep complaining that they’re tired of the cold. Newcomers complain that it feels as if they’ve moved to Portland, or Seattle. They were not expecting all of this rain and gloominess. In time they will learn that “winter showers bring wildflowers.”

In Punxsutawney, PA, Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow. For our northern brethren that means six more weeks of winter. Phil was so frustrated he even went to far as to bite the Mayor!
(This is be a great time to remind you to watch “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell. Again.)  Down here, Armadillo Bob didn’t see his shadow.  Spring should be here soon. And then gone just as quickly. Then it will become hot, unrelentingly hot.

It’s challenging to have patience when things seem to drag on and on.
It’s challenging to remain optimistic when things aren’t the way you want them to be.
It’s challenging to hold on to your vision and desires, but not hold on too tightly in order to allow for something even better.

But, that’s exactly what we must do.

Even now, when I can’t seem to get warm, and feel tired of all the greyness, there are bright red Cardinals flitting among the dead vines on my fence. And there is a cluster of even brighter red berries just beyond that fence. Last week as I walked to work in the cold and rain, I saw the first daffodils coming up.

Winter never lasts. Spring always comes.

XO Donna