Play

One of the things I love about winter is that young or old we all play in about the same way.  We bundle up in warm clothing and head outside to slip, slide and throw snow!  I know I know, some people do not call this play at all and would far rather be throwing back a couple shots of jagarmeister! But those who play - play the same way we did as children.  It think it's wonderful!
Today we spent about three hours outside with Trystan.  We rode down our home made "Whistler Mountain" on an inner tube.  We were so delighted to discover we can slide clear across the yard!!  We crawled around the back yard maze and tunnels, and hid in our snow fort hoping that the Abominable Snow Monster wouldn't find us!! We've spent entire afternoons "painting the house" by throwing snowballs and trying to see if we could completely cover all the brick in snow! (My shoulder hurt by the end of that one! lol) We slip and slide and lay on our backs looking at the clouds etc. etc.  This never becomes boring.  Every moment of this is pure delight for Trystan and for Eric and I.  Snow, is the great equalizer.  It makes us all children again - reminds us to slow down (after all who's going anywhere fast when you're bundled up in all those layers of snow clothes and heavy boots!?) Reminds us to play - and often, those little tiny flakes of white tumble down and bring a lot of fond, cozy memories.  Like egg nog and toast for lunch.  Hot chocolate by the fire.  Giant snowball fights with the neighbors, nights filled with skiing, wine and conversation with dear ones...  It's so good to play!  I think it's one of the corner stones of a rich life. It's about not taking yourself too seriously, being in the moment and connecting to the child within.  JUST PLAY :)