This summer was a bit duller than most due to my dad's passing, and then autumn 2016 held on for a surreal length of time. Last week, however, winter finally settled in with all its fury: heaps of snow, ferocious winds and the subsequent big chill.
Thing is, I kinda like winter. I don't love the endless putting on and taking off of layers of clothes and the grimy leftovers of the sand and dirt on the streets in March. But j'adore the endless white, the crunch crunch crunch of walking in snow and the way it allows me to anticipate and appreciate spring and summer.
My mom died in late November in Gimli, right after the town's first snowfall, but Winnipeg didn't get any substantial flurries for another couple weeks. Maybe it's because I've seen 50 plus winters and several blizzards, but I wasn't at all fazed by the over 30 centimeters of snow that got dumped on Winnipeg.
This afternoon I was driving and "Sing Winter" by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser came on my stereo and I was undone by the lyrics.
Can I fall Iike glory and wash your year away //
All that remains was really meant to stay //
Come and clothe me Winter, I really need a change
Oh those Helsers; they always know the right things to say. Come Lord, wash away this terrible 2016. Come with Your glory and transform what's left of my life. Come clothe me with each distinct snowflake, which You created. Come, Lord. I need You.
Hear the snowflakes falling // Winter’s calling my name
The silent song she’s singing // What’s she trying to say?
Can I fall like glory to wash your year away? //
All that remains was really meant to stay //
Come and clothe me Winter, I really need a change //
With silent redemption, Cover me with grace //
Hear the song of beauty, Melodies and sounds //
Cover you in white love // The joy you lost but now have found //
Sing sing winter // Sing me your silent song
Sing sing winter // Sing me your silent song
