Hibernation

The season has come that bears are tucked safely away in their sound slumber. High and low temperatures of 32-27 degrees cause all pulses to slow. Even the Hoonah sky never appears fully roused awake. The days start out grey and move to darker grey. The “evening” street lights flicker on around 3:30 pm, man’s feeble attempt at evolution.

The first part of the week we were lucky enough to have the clouds clear after-dark to reveal the night sky. Although we haven’t seen any Northern Lights, the Alaskan canopy is gloriously bedecked with stars. Andrew and I walk to and from rehearsal, gawking upward. After reading this month’s National Geographic cover story, I am grateful for such a view.

It snowed, a wet snow, all day Thursday, outlining the thick pine trees, behind our house in heavy wonder. Andrew munched and threw snowballs on the way to school. Lagging playfully behind, he “ice-skated” down the frothy streets in his boots. My backside was a constant snowball target. With his baseball background, he rarely missed.

We are gracefully embracing winter, outfitted with warm coats, gloves, long johns, hats, fleece and boots…like an artist…the right tools create the masterpiece…and I appreciate that we are able to have the gear to allow us to enjoy this work of art we are experiencing.

I believe my soul’s tools are also being forged and refined, and at rapid pace. Over the last two months, as my inside landscape has quaked and then settled with new valleys, glorious mountain peaks and soft grassy meadows, I have gained invaluable insights that have deepened my life and strengthen my connection to my Maker. With life’s highlights, shadows, focal points, blending and unimaginable colors of character, God is using bold strokes and gifting us all lessons of a rich and humbling perspective.