Winter's Wonder

We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cozy A-frame cabin. We made sure to leave early so we would have time to get settled in and then relax as we watched the sunset while drinking steamy cups of cocoa. There's nothing more peaceful or comforting than the sounds of this winter paradise, the stillness in the crisp, cool air, and the solitude, or rather the feeling of one-ness with nature. Leaving the chaos behind for the beautiful, natural, simplicity of this rural haven. Even if only for a few days, heaven could be ours.

The moment the car was in park and the sound of the engine died, we each turned to the other and took a deep sigh of relief. We then proceeded to share a giggle at just how in sync we were with each other's thoughts. Without a word, we opened the doors and breathed in that first breath of cold mountain air. Letting our lungs soak in the renewal. Then came the first sound to break the stillness in the frigid air, the sound of snow crunching underfoot as we left the vehicle that tethered us to the outside world and allowed ourselves to become fully immersed in the winter landscape. Then the sound of the doors shutting behind us. Then silence again: that kind of silence that seems to be saying something so wonderfully sweet and harmonious with one's soul. Then two more deep breaths, letting the cool fill our lungs completely, entirely letting go of all the stress that we carried with us, fully submerging ourselves in our surroundings.

A bird flew from a nearby branch, knocking some snow to the ground and chirping as the sound of wings flapping permeated the silence next. Now more crunching ensued as we made the short trek across the last stretch of the driveway up to the steps. Climbing the steps, the feeling of familiarity seeped into our souls. This was it, our little oasis. Finishing climbing the stairs and walking across the porch, we heard the sound made by our footsteps change slightly on the wooden surface. This was followed by the noise of metal on metal as we inserted the key and heard the definitive "click" when we made the turn.

Opening the door, and stepping inside, the familiar warmth enveloped us instantly. The new type of stillness, one surrounded by walls, hit our ears. The brushing off of feet on the mat and the softer sound our slippers made as we moved across the floor, having transitioned from our winter boots into indoor shoes that wouldn't track the snow around. Cleaning up unnecessary messes was not at all a part of our nirvana.

Before all else, we set to work getting a fire going. Choosing the right array of logs from the stack and arranging them just so, with relative haste, as it was still fairly cold inside. Then the match was lit: the strike, the smoke, the catch of the flame on the tinder, and the crackling ensued as that glorious smell lingered before being replaced by that of the larger fire that began to take over in the fireplace.

The water ran, filling up a tea kettle. The "click, click, click" and then "whoosh" as the gas caught and the flames began to heat the water from underneath. Two tired, but grateful bodies plopped down on the couch and snuggled in front of the crackling flames. The whistling of the boiling water interrupted us only momentarily as we hastily, as a team, grabbed two mugs from the cabinet and prepared our hot cocoa. Clinking of spoons as we stirred. We returned to the sofa, steaming mugs in hand. We set them down to cool a bit for a moment while we unfolded and laid a blanket over top of ourselves. Cozy, in a word. Perfection.

Glancing out the window, we could see it was time, and it had begun to snow, just ever-so lightly. We slipped our warm gear back on and stepped back into the chilly air. Steamy mugs in hand, blanket wrapped around us for extra warmth, we cozied up against each other and watched the sun set on our little piece of paradise. As it dipped below the mountains, setting the sky ablaze in the most beautiful winter hues, the snow made its presence known with the staccato notes of each individual flake joining the others on the ground's surface. Each one was perfection. Each one made our souls smile. The crisp, coolness of the air we inhaled refreshed our stale souls. I turned my head to the sky, and with tongue stuck out and eyes closed, caught some of those falling flakes, feeling the moment they landed and then melted away onto the surface of my tongue. She turned her gaze and laughed at the beauty of the moment. This made me laugh too. We held each other like this, just watching and taking it all in, until the dark blanket was pulled over the sky all the way up to the mountain tops, as though they had tucked themselves in for the night, and the stars began to appear. We sipped the chocolatey goodness, breathed in the steam and gazed up at the twinkling constellations that were actually rather still now that the snow had passed, the silence of the thick blanket on the ground had resumed and the sky was clear once again. We admired the patterns in the night sky and took in the stillness for a moment more, and then made our way inside to cuddle in our cozy haven for the night. It was about time to put a few more logs on the fire anyway.