I love winter. I love early evenings (except when I’m trying to take the dogs on a long walk). I love when snow drifts from sky to earth and settles in quietness, encouraging the world to breathe. To just be silent and to stop fretting.

I love the long evenings when I settle on the couch with a book, my phone, a silly game, a small glass of whiskey, a mug of tea, the dogs, my husband. My words. I love nestling into the couch, drawing my legs up and underneath me even though my mom is convinced this would destroy my furniture.

I love warm pajamas or my newest purchase of hiking pants that don’t feel like hiking pants because they are so soft and warm. I won’t admit that I’m actually sitting at my desk at work while the new students migrate around the building, trying to find their classrooms. I won’t admit that I’m sitting under fluorescent light with the hum of the fan pushing cold air into my already cold room. I won’t admit that because, in all honesty, I am actually warm thanks to my hiking pants that don’t feel like hiking pants.

I’m babbling. Sorry. Not sorry. Because as I was getting ready to try to write this post, I was pacing my classroom and I kept noticing the indigo blue sky framed within my windows. The evening’s cold presses against the school building and I can feel the lisping hours elapse.  I only have about 73 minutes until I can go home, when I can leave behind the overly bright lighting and settle into quiet. 

Just sit within the darkness and breathe. Just feel my heart beat and breathe.