It was a snowy December night, the kind of night where you watch the snow fall out the window glistening in the rays of the streetlights, sipping hot chocolate with melted little marshmallows, in a cozy robe and slippers. You've seen the snow fall a million times before, and still it's one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Your breath fogs the enormous picture window and as it does, you pull your sleeve over your hand and gently wipe it from the flawlessly clean glass. The fireplace crackles with glee and cheer warming the stockings hung from the mantle. The smell of burning wood, and that cinnamon apple air freshener makes everything feel right. It's the holiday season and nothing can go wrong. The clear starry night sky leads you right back to all of those times you've spent just gazing. Sitting outside, bundled in your home-knitted scarf and black beanie. Your favorite winter jacket with the satin pink lining and your breath becoming visible thanks to the crisp winter air. Everything is fresh and clean. The untouched snow that you
know you want to go run on, but don't because it's just
too beautiful, so you walk along the road, listening ever so closely to that crunching noise the slush and semi-hardened snow makes when your foot sinks down.
Crunch. Crunch. The roads covered in black ice, too icy to drive upon, so it's nothing but silence. The serenity of the winter relaxes you, and soon enough you don't even realize how cold you are. You don't even realize that your hands are so cold you can barely move your fingers. You're so consumed by snow topped trees, the cool flakes falling upon your nose, melting on contact. Chills linger up your spine, making you wiggle a bit, but it doesn't bother you. Nothing could come between you and this winter night (except maybe that harsh winter breeze and wind chill that drops the temperature to about negative five). You go back to that untouched snow, and you know that more will keep falling, so you let yourself fall. You let yourself go and as you do, the blanket of snow catches you, and it feels perfect. Moving your legs in and out, your arms up and down. And there it is, that little piece of heaven. That snow angel. You prop yourself up, take a step back and
smile. Though it's not the best you could do, it doesn't matter.
You suddenly feel blessed. That angel reminds you that it's the 'most wonderful time of the year'. You close your eyes and spin around with your arms out to the sides, maybe even open your mouth to catch a few snowflakes on your tongue and laugh. It brings you back to those days where nothing really mattered, when you had it all. Those silly Christmas carols come to your mind and you catch yourself singing the lyrics to 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. Driving around catching a glimpse at all the Christmas lights hung on all the houses, and all the trees in everybody's windows. It's the holidays, it's the most amazing time of the year. And as the night grows older, you head back inside. Your cheeks are a rosy read, and your hands so cold that your fingers are more like icicles. You head for bed and snuggle up in those featherdown comforters and flanel sheets, dreaming of sugarplums, reindeer and times when all was well. And as you're about to fall into a deep and peaceful sleep, you find yourself whispering,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
