I revelled in the summer heat When others fried And sighed, Goodbye, And went inside. Trusting, I smiled When hot became warm, The return of summer's norm, Simply a mild forewarn Of climate's transform. Too soon it seemed Leaves turned to gold. Yet still no cold! Larch and aspen--behold! Facing autumn serene and bold. Fun while it lasted, No keeping frost at bay, Friendly warmth gives way, How I shiver today. Lord help! I pray. I grieved, pleaded, implored: Perfumed rose, spotted fawn, Warbler song, emerald lawn, All gone, all gone! But...was that a trumpeter swan? I'd missed the mist, The glitter of snow, The hush, and the slow, The late sunrise glow-- All my friend Winter will bestow.
I have to admit, I am probably the biggest baby in the world when it comes to winter, inwardly grieving, mourning, whining and complaining. But this scene today reminded me of its blessings, because without the cold, the mist wouldn’t rise up in the first rays of sunlight!
And the frosting on the cake, a few minutes after snapping this photo with frozen hands, was watching a flock of Trumpeter Swans fly overhead as they return to Calgary for the winter.
This also reminds me of one of my favorite Biblical poems:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord…
sent…to bind up the brokenhearted…
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve…
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
[from Isaiah 61:1-3]
Wishing blessings on you for every season!
Happily Writing 