Embracing A Moment

The sun is only just stretching it's rays over the horizon into the bitter cold of the early January morning. My breath floats in the air and drifts away in a light breeze. The hill is covered in the remaining layer of snow left from three days before. No longer wet and sticky, the frigid overnight temperatures have left it slick and icy; perfect sledding snow.

As I climb the hill to head inside, an urge takes over. The kids have left our old Fearless Flyer out at the top of the hill, after thoroughly enjoying their snow day. They have hopes that the temperatures during the rest of the week would remain cold enough to present them with more more afternoons enjoyment racing down our back hill. Keeping the sled out isn't lazy it's a reminder to mother nature that we're not quite done having fun this winter. Last years remarkably mild temperatures kept us from enjoying the snow as the one pitiful snow fall only lasted a mere two hours before melting into oblivion and the spring arrived shortly thereafter. I stand at the top of the hill considering my options. I was dressed appropriately having just finished chores and my tall boots, snow pants and down jacket were providing ample warmth against the biting cold. The debate lasted a lengthy two seconds. I secured my gloves in place and grabbed the sled while stepping through the gate and onto the frozen hill. How often does the chance to relive our childhood present itself? It should be embraced at every opportunity! I set the sled down and held it in place with my foot while I did a final inventory. Hat secure, gloves in place, jacket securely zipped. Yup, I was ready. I faced the hill contemplating my options; down the hill and under the electric fence to dive down into the ravine, or a tricky turn off of the hill to race down the pathway and under the closed gates of the arena. Let's hope I was thin enough to fit underneath, as the ravine with it's menacing pile of brush resembling the beaches of Normandy was looking less appealing by the second. This was child's play compared to the obstacle course my brother and I used to race through at our old house. Fences, stumps, trees and children all were at our mercy back then. I took a step back and threw myself head first onto the sled propelling it rapidly down the hill full throttle. The weathered metal slid gracefully across the frozen ground bending with my weight as I guided the sled towards the pathway that was quickly approaching. With a squeal that I was sure would wake the neighbors, I yanked the steering bar to the right just in time to avoid my inevitable doom and drove the sled towards the arena, leaping over the dip in the pasture and heading strait under the gates and into the middle of an icy arena. I finally dropped my toes and let them drag through the slick snow to bring my faithful chariot to a sudden stop. I rolled off in a fit of giggles, and lay there staring at the still brilliant moon, fading into a glorious sunrise. Laying there gazing at the crystal clear sky above I was 7 again, lost in a time when snow days came with the thrill of forgetting the cold and running through a world transformed. I picked myself up, and let the icy particles cling to me as I pulled the sled back up the hill, leaning it once again against the rickety fence and hoping Mother Nature had received our message. I smiled to myself, it was Saturday, I had the entire day off.