Full weekend behind me; it was difficult to realize that another week had started! Heat in the current provincial election campaign, a visit to Rimbey, a granddaughter's pregnancy, and hints of spring in the air: full indeed.
The signs of spring put together with Hannah's announcement made it clear that time was, indeed, moving along. Hannah was a little girl just a few days ago (it seems to me), and there was a snowdrift in our front yard last week. Strange as it may seem to some of you, I lament the end of winter for a while every spring. I kind of hope for one more snowstorm, one more icy blast from the northwest. I guess it's a perversity of my nature to like winter. Winter always gives you something to overcome, something to test your mettle. In winter, against the elements, I frequently feel exhilarated, successful, fulfilled. Why, I don't really know.
I suspect it has something to do with being a Manitoban, a Winnipegger, a person who has lived in the distant north, perilously close to the snowline and packs of wolves. Whatever it is that wells up in me, Miss the season until it is fully gone and summer has begun to really blossom. Then I am usually able to 'get with the program', and enter into summer. Although the minute I begin to sweat with summer heat, I complain and grumble. I don't mid sweating when I ride the bike, or even when I walk. But sitting on the deck? It's just wrong! Even worse if it's hot when I'm trying to sleep. Then I really fume. Heat is harder to deal with than cold. In the cold, you can move, you can bundle up. In the heat - without air conditioning, which seems superfluous this far north - you can only gasp. So here I am, on the cusp of spring, not quite ready to dive in, and feeling like the only person in my circle who laments the passing of the snow and cold. Again, weird!
It seems quite symbolic that my granddaughter Hannah is becoming 'great with child' as we speak. It was fun listening to her father, my only son, talk with animation about becoming a grandfather! Kathy - daughter-in-law- even more so! They are quite excited and accepting of a role which they had no choice about: it's just there. Their account of the "time to tell the grandparents" dinner was quite funny. Calling us later was probably less anxiety-producing. I admit to being surprised initially. Hannah has always appeared to be a person who controlled her life quite completely. On reflection, I realized that over the last few months, her goals and aspirations have clearly changed. She may well be as 'in control' of her life as she cares to be. Except for the morning sickness, which apparently erupted at more times than mornings! Like most of us, she will discover when junior arrives, that he or she will exercise a degree of control that even Hannah will be unable to deter!
So, reluctantly, I acknowledge that spring is definitely in the air. I had better start looking for my shorts!
The signs of spring put together with Hannah's announcement made it clear that time was, indeed, moving along. Hannah was a little girl just a few days ago (it seems to me), and there was a snowdrift in our front yard last week. Strange as it may seem to some of you, I lament the end of winter for a while every spring. I kind of hope for one more snowstorm, one more icy blast from the northwest. I guess it's a perversity of my nature to like winter. Winter always gives you something to overcome, something to test your mettle. In winter, against the elements, I frequently feel exhilarated, successful, fulfilled. Why, I don't really know.
I suspect it has something to do with being a Manitoban, a Winnipegger, a person who has lived in the distant north, perilously close to the snowline and packs of wolves. Whatever it is that wells up in me, Miss the season until it is fully gone and summer has begun to really blossom. Then I am usually able to 'get with the program', and enter into summer. Although the minute I begin to sweat with summer heat, I complain and grumble. I don't mid sweating when I ride the bike, or even when I walk. But sitting on the deck? It's just wrong! Even worse if it's hot when I'm trying to sleep. Then I really fume. Heat is harder to deal with than cold. In the cold, you can move, you can bundle up. In the heat - without air conditioning, which seems superfluous this far north - you can only gasp. So here I am, on the cusp of spring, not quite ready to dive in, and feeling like the only person in my circle who laments the passing of the snow and cold. Again, weird!
It seems quite symbolic that my granddaughter Hannah is becoming 'great with child' as we speak. It was fun listening to her father, my only son, talk with animation about becoming a grandfather! Kathy - daughter-in-law- even more so! They are quite excited and accepting of a role which they had no choice about: it's just there. Their account of the "time to tell the grandparents" dinner was quite funny. Calling us later was probably less anxiety-producing. I admit to being surprised initially. Hannah has always appeared to be a person who controlled her life quite completely. On reflection, I realized that over the last few months, her goals and aspirations have clearly changed. She may well be as 'in control' of her life as she cares to be. Except for the morning sickness, which apparently erupted at more times than mornings! Like most of us, she will discover when junior arrives, that he or she will exercise a degree of control that even Hannah will be unable to deter!
So, reluctantly, I acknowledge that spring is definitely in the air. I had better start looking for my shorts!
No comments:
Post a Comment