Have you ever noticed how silent it is on a cold day or
night? I first noticed that silence
during the two winters I lived in Alaska.
Most nights I would venture out to the skating rink located close to
where I lived, sometimes alone and sometimes with a friend or two. Just to note, we lived on a base and it was
perfectly acceptable for a 9 or 10 year old to go out at night. Many nights I would be the only skater on the
rink and the northern sky and stars watched over me; occasionally the Northern
Lights would dance for me, too. I
remember the silence and the feeling of being so in touch with the universe.
I
experienced that silence this afternoon and had to marvel again at the wonder
of it. After church I hurried home to get started on the Cowboys game, let the
dogs out, and flipped on the TV. As is
their habit when it is cold and wet the little darlings stood by the door, so I
went out with them and mandated that go out into the yard. As I stood there waiting on them I was aware
of the silence in the winter air. The sky was a light gray and the temperature still
cold. There was no sound of traffic and
no sound of planes taking off. Smoke
from a fire place drifted by and birds were flying against the backdrop of leafless
trees. Just total quiet surrounding me in the cold air. 
I'll never forget it snowed pretty good one year and since I was home from school anyway I saddled up and headed off into the woods to ride. It rarely snows here and I wanted to take full advantage of it. It's amazing how quiet snow makes the woods. I can remember coming to a stop on the trail behind the house and just listening. The only noise was the snow falling from the branches of the cedar trees ever so often and the soft blow of my horse. It's one of those moments in time you just hold in your heart.
ReplyDeleteThe silence is profound and it is unforgettable once you've experienced it!
ReplyDelete