Every year the first snowfall brings a euphoria as intense as new love. For it to come on a day of such intense emotion this year has had me alternating between tears of happiness and sadness for 48 hours. To watch Birkie-dog play in the snow, to hike with Jenny next to the slushy Susitna on a bluebird day in the shadow of Denali, to cook and eat an amazing dinner in a warm cabin: Today was a perfect day. It was a day that I did my best to balance living in the moment with stopping to take snapshots that will carry me through the hard times that inevitably lie ahead. Jenny has asked me to write more, so you can all blame her for the bad poetry and prose I’ll be contributing to this blog. In all sincerity, writing and thinking about some of my best memories was unbelievably therapeutic the first time I went through treatment nearly a decade ago and it’s something I hope to get back to more frequently this time around. Jenny actually liked this poem, “except for that girl from high school. I will fight her.” Humor helps a hell of a lot too. Hope you’re all having a weekend filled with love, laughter, and adventure. First Snowfall
As i glimpse through the bedroom curtains, my eyes widen with excitement and anticipation. The world a new and beautiful place. A million crystal reflections of sun coating the branches of the trees. The mailman’s boots crunch through the undisturbed snow, and I hear my grandfather’s steps on the first day of hunting season. Pink clouds over pure white mountains match the blushed cheek of the high school crush I never found the courage to tell, but felt the electricity of her holding tight as we slid chaotically down the slippery slope on cardboard, tractor tubes and lunch trays. Greeted by the smell of Mum’s potatoes and pork chops stewing in a can of cream of mushroom soup, I strip damp jackets and snowpants with the warmth of the entryway fogging my glasses. As i glimpse through the bedroom curtains, these fond memories flood back as vivid as a heavy pine bow dumping its whiteness down the neck of my jacket, and my heart bounds, leaps and skitters with the happiness of the neighbor’s puppy running wild and electric circles through the freshly fallen snow.
Linda McKenzie
10/23/2016 06:51:39 am
What wonderful poetry! Life is quite an adventure, isn't it? But it seems you have mastered the curve. Keep on keeping on, Sam and Jenny; it's worth it. Comments are closed.
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