Winter has come. How I have dreaded this moment.

The land grows cold and the snow starts to fall.

Softly at first, then without mercy.

Each snowflake that falls becomes another weight on the land.

Next the wind comes.

A howling storm rises from the depths.

It tears the leaves from the trees and makes branches fall.

Any creatures that tried to brave the winter are now forced to hide.

When the storm finally stops nothing is left.

Trees have been uprooted and bushes turned to frozen tumbleweed.

All creatures have fled or are hidden too deep to notice, and the river is dry.

The worst-of-all is the snow.

It encases the world in an impenetrable frost hiding the destruction underneath.

The misleading snow that sparkles like a thousand diamonds while suffocating all that it falls on.

The cold snow that saps the life from all, and burns any that dare touch it.

The cruel snow that acts delicate and peaceful only to try and put you in an eternal slumber.

All is silent.

All is still.

All life has fled.

Soon even the small light, that tries to pass through the clouds, will turn dark and flee.

Leaving, in search of a land that is bursting with life, and teeming with creatures.

Where there is warmth, and green forests, and rivers that carry sweet water.

Somewhere, summer is in full bloom.

But the light does not flee, it grows stronger.

Then a warm breeze sweeps over the land.

It is gentle and carries a voice with it.

A voice that is full and comforting.

“Get up.” It says. Another breeze stirs, “Wake up!” This time a little more firm.

“You are not meant to slumber under the snow. You are meant to be bursting with life and wonder. Do not care about the animals that have left but remember the ones that have stayed and slumber with you. Wake up, and reawaken them as well!”

The clouds give way letting in the light and warmth, flooding the land.

It cascades down pouring itself into everything

Snow begins melting away creating a new river grander than the old.

Plants that survived start to sprout and the creatures that stayed come out of hiding.

The land is no longer silent and still, but filled with the sounds of life. The trees dancing in the warm breeze.

Spring has come at last and with it a new beginning.

It is not a lush forest as it used to be but it is a start, because it will be better than before.

And next time the snow will not cover my land.

Because I won’t give in.

Next time the snow comes I’ll beat it, because I am stronger now.

So come at me winter. Give me snow, give me wind, give me hail, and anything else you’ve got because I am not the weak little kid I used to be. Just keep in mind that whatever you send my way I will throw back at you ten fold!