Thanks to the media and social networking, the entire country witnessed the disaster that was Atlanta during the attack of the "Polar Vortex." As a resident of the Atlanta Metro area, this has been the worst Winter I have ever experienced. Temperatures dipping below 0 degrees, pipes and water mains bursting from extreme freeze, no sunshine for weeks; and this was just the beginning of January. Then, there was "Snowpocalypse." I thought I would like the snow and it would be magical and romantic. Nope, it is awful and this southern girl just wants to wear her flip flops again!
Mental health professionals state that there is something called the "Winter Blues;" a temporary psychological disorder brought on from seasonal changes. I totally get it! For weeks, there is gray cloud cover, and icy wind gusts that take your breath away. Unfortunately, I don't blame my anxiety completely on the weather; but the fact my over enthusiastic, 75 lb dog tries to take me ice skating whenever he needs to go outside.
I miss wearing my tank top and shorts and slipping into my sandals to go on my merry way. Currently, I have to put on socks, shoes, warm pants, long sleeve shirt, sweater or hoodie with heavy coat, and gloves. Just to be outside for 5-10 minutes. I know people in the Northeast think I am being ridiculous complaining, but this is Georgia. It is not suppose to be 5 degrees and I don't ever hear of anybody retiring to Minnesota.
I did find something beautiful amidst this punishing Winter. My two oldest children have the best view in the house. It is a really large window that looks out to the woods of our apartment building. We are on the third floor, so when the blinds are drawn up it is quite spectacular to take in the sights from that height. Throughout the snowfall, I loved to see the colors contrasting with the pure white of snow. Everything seemed angelic; as if God had just sifted flour on top of us. Glad I was able to capture the memory, because I won't be pining for the snow once I am poolside.
