Southerners have NO idea!
Today I did my normal walk from Salvation Army street parking to Sopra Sotto. But today it was different.
Today, I wasn't freezing. On the way back, I wasn't in a hurry. At least, my body was still in the habit of being in a hurry, but I was able to slow it down and enjoy the walk!
On one street corner, while waiting for green walk sign I just lifted my head and closed my eyes and drank in the sunshine.
Southerners have no idea how that feels. To suffer through a lifetime of Minnesota winters, only to emerge in the sunshine yet again. In an odd sort of way, our own climate teaches us hope, and faith, and how to be content in all situations. And it teaches us a unique form of community victory. Something we are privileged to experience every year. A bond that ties us together in a way, sorry Southerners, you just can't understand unless you've been through a few of these.
I'm still amazed at how being outside centers me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It's no wonder Jesus always identified himself with light.
Today, I wasn't freezing. On the way back, I wasn't in a hurry. At least, my body was still in the habit of being in a hurry, but I was able to slow it down and enjoy the walk!
On one street corner, while waiting for green walk sign I just lifted my head and closed my eyes and drank in the sunshine.
Southerners have no idea how that feels. To suffer through a lifetime of Minnesota winters, only to emerge in the sunshine yet again. In an odd sort of way, our own climate teaches us hope, and faith, and how to be content in all situations. And it teaches us a unique form of community victory. Something we are privileged to experience every year. A bond that ties us together in a way, sorry Southerners, you just can't understand unless you've been through a few of these.
I'm still amazed at how being outside centers me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It's no wonder Jesus always identified himself with light.
posted by Justin at
4:29 PM
2 Comments:
haha! ok, well, hmmm....i feel i have lived in both worlds for sufficient amounts of time to be qualified to comment on this. :) i understand your point, and i do agree -- to an extent. But about HALF the length of these ridiculously long, dreary, freezing, sunless northern winters would be sufficient to remind me how much to appreciate the spring without taking me to the bottom of the barrel for months! Just think how much pleasurable life you're missing out on waiting for summer to roll around again. It's amazing to begin experiencing spring in February and have fields of solid flowers in April and May!!! Up here, summers feel like you've been let out of your cage to play for a day in the sun, only to be shoved back into your kennel in a cold, dark corner of the garage and locked up for another 6 or 7 months until you're let out for another moment to stretch your legs in the yard again....as if you get just a torturing TASTE of what the rest of the world is allowed to actually experience. Just this former-southerner's wistful opinion after being holed up all gloomy winter. :)
By
-Keeper of the Official Quote Book, at 11:06 PM
oh, and I DEFINITELY 100% agree with your comment about Jesus identifying himself as light....I don't think there is anything else (besides Jesus, obviously, haha) that even comes close to being so amazing and mind boggling and powerful and intimate and healing!!
By
-Keeper of the Official Quote Book, at 11:12 PM
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