It’s been a never-ending Winter in Canadian Narnia, and the Cabin Fever is Real: the slippery lanes, the snotty noses, and the rising temperatures in fever, rather than the outdoors.
In all honesty, I love that Winter brings the cozy warmth of hygge and holidays and hot coffee infusing every morning, toasting up the fingers, but enough is enough.
For the past couple of months, I have let Winter lock the door to play dates and get togethers. I have allowed it to build fences around the house with a container of Lysol and a box of tissues. I have used the icy roads and frigid temperatures to stay under the roof and wait until “next time”, when the sun finally decides to switch seasons.
And I’ve missed the Fellowship – what then became the dirty little “F” word that brought more fevers and coughs and runny noses with every attempt at encouragement and community.
And truthfully? I’d do it all again.
Because when it comes to the health of my family, and the strength to be the best of who God made me… Maslow’s hierarchy takes over, and I put health, safety, and a hot pot of chicken soup even before a fear of missing out on Fellowship. I was just too exhausted.
Yes, I’d do it. But I’d still mourn over it – wishing for warm days and a puddle to jump in, letting my Little Girl get dirt and slobbery smiles wherever she wishes, with as many other little friends as possible.
And I’d cling harder to the Fellowship that I could sneak in under my breath – book studies after bedtime, newborn cuddles at the hospital, power walks on that random sunny day, and texts nonstop with the many others who just “get it” and pray for Spring health right there with you…
Because I truly believe that God made people to come together and build each other up in His name, even when it comes to those of us more introverted. It’s how we experience love and grace and trust, all down here on the day-to-day “earth” level of colds and and sleepless nights.
So today, when the sun came out, we put on the layers and walked outside – or rather, I walked, while Little ran, swishing her oversized splash pants in her clomping rubber boots.
What an Adventure.
A chicken escaped from the hen house and the dog attacked it. The cows came in curious droves to say over-friendly hellos. The cats had an all-out brawl in the yard. Little Girl poked her tiny fingers into every mud hole imaginable on the way back to the house…
And then a neighbour stopped in, with her bike and two kiddos, dressed head to toe in knits and sunshine. And for fifteen glorious minutes, Fellowship prevailed, and Winter backed down, ready to set her snowy tantrum aside for such a time as this.
For the first time after a long season, I could finally take in a breath of fresh, healthy air again, and it felt straight-up, all-the-good-jitters Glorious. Just Glorious.
So I’ll keep the tissues and the Tylenol nearby…. But just as a precaution, mind you.
Because, for all the foul words and weather, I declare it’s finally Spring, and it’s about time to Fellowship… don’t you?
lk.
