Embracing Winter

One of my favorite concept movies is Groundhog Day, when Bill Murray keeps waking up in the same day, over and over. He starts out as a jerk and gradually practices becoming nicer and more genuine as the days repeat. He saves people and learns to play the piano, improving himself until finally the spell is broken.

It’s snowing again.

This winter has a similar feel, with repeating days of snow and routine that are hard to distinguish, one from the next. When I glance up out of my novel and see, yet again, that snow is falling outside, it would be easy to feel trapped or stymied.

But I’m not. Each one of these days is adding up. They count and matter. They have calm, and work, and laughter. They match the novel I’m consistently revising page by page and section by section. They reinforce the long-term life ambitions I have: relish my family, keep active, eat healthily, play some piano, learn to dance, meet with friends to sing, read, enjoy films, and be part of my community.

Sure, I long for spring, but winter is a gift of its own. This snowy day is ours.