It never fails to amaze me how people can see or experience the same thing very differently. Winter is an excellent example- seems that most people either love it or hate it!
Personally, I'm not a fan of winter AT ALL. While I enjoy the sight of snowy landscapes, the reality of having to work in them makes it hard for me to truly enjoy the season. Last week, it was unexpectedly finding that one of our 'non-freeze' waterers in the pasture had, in fact, frozen. Thankfully we caught it early enough that the pipe could be thawed and water started flowing again but checking the waterer is a little task that I'd rather not have on my daily list, but the consequences are huge if you miss it! Yesterday, ahead of today's predicted 3-5 inches of snow and ice followed by 5-8 inches of snow overnight, I found a calf that couldn't stand. Doctoring mystery ailments is a challenge to begin with and having to find a way to move the little guy in from the field through knee-deep slushy snow only added to the work. These are the big things that can pop up at any time, and even without emergencies there's the simple reality that every chore is harder in winter when you consider trudging through the snow, cold fingers and toes, and ice causing trouble in the weirdest ways.
On the flip side, Dehan absolutely loves winter. He enjoys the beauty of the snow and the crisp, cold air. He is blessed with a body that seems to never get cold and will gladly spend the entire day outside working with the horses and taking in the season. One of his favorite things to do is to take pictures in the wintery environment and marvel at the effects the snow and ice create. If you ever want to read his poetic descriptions of these special days, just check out the Logging with Horses Facebook page! Even when winter throws us curveballs and days don't go as expected, he takes everything in stride, deals with the problems, and is thankful for a little more time outside.
Over time, I've learned to be thankful for the way that we all have different perspectives. Dehan's joy in the season helps me to slow down and appreciate the beauty and when I'm tempted to be discouraged by the thought of yet another snowstorm it helps to know that it will bring lots of joy to Dehan and other winter lovers. We've also found some activities that we can enjoy together, such as going for sleigh rides in the snow, that help to bring some fun into the harder seasons. In the end, it's unlikely that I'll ever be a winter lover but spending time with those who do appreciate the unique benefits of the season adds joy to my winters as well :)
