Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

And just like that, it’s freezing.

We live in Minnesota. We know it gets cold. I mean, it is the middle of December, it should be cold. We have snow on the ground and Santa will be coming in two weeks. We should be wearing hats and warming up our cars before we drive them. It just seemed to happen really quick.

I know the temperature will go back up and be tolerable for awhile and then drop back down again. I know that this little cold spell isn’t forever. Knowing that this too shall pass does provide comfort. When I realize that something will be short-lived, it gives me better perspective. It allows me to appreciate even the most uncomfortable of situations and see the good.

Hot chocolate. Sure, you can make yourself a big cup of it in the summer. Heck, as an adult I can literally drink it every day. I do believe I may have just tapped into some kind of childhood goal I had for myself. I digress. I could drink it every day, but it tastes so much better after you come in from outside. When your fingertips are still a little cold and they wrap around a warm mug of chocolatey goodness — mmmm.

Fireplace. We have a fireplace, and similar to the hot chocolate, I could utilize it all year if I wanted. Currently the flames are dancing a few feet from me, and it’s glorious. The warmth mixed with the flickering light is mesmerizing — so much so that I’m finding it hard to focus on what it is I’m supposed to be writing.

Blankets. I use a blanket all year. I don’t care if it’s 120 degrees, I need a blanket. The weight of it on my body as I sleep just soothes me. However, to take the experience to the next level, the air around me must be brisk. I love when the tip of my nose is cold as it peeks out from my warm blankets. Makes me want to crawl into bed right now.

Snuggling. I have three small kids, so we snuggle year round. Weekly, we all gather on the couch for a movie together, and each child has to lay on us in some fashion. I love my kids, and I love physical contact. I love it even more when we’re not all sweaty and warm from being out in the summer heat.

Soup. Soup is so much better in the winter — it really is. It’s more than just food. It provides some level of comfort to the soul as well. Potato, chicken noodle, wild rice — heck, even chili. (This is not a discussion as to whether chili is a soup, but more of a general classification that chili is kind of liquidy and eaten in a bowl with a spoon, like soup.) I had a bowl of soup for lunch, and it was awesome. Warmed me right up.

I was born and raised in Minnesota. I’m more than familiar with the change of the seasons, and I know what to expect. I’m aware that it’s cold right now, and it’ll get colder before spring happens. But I also know that spring will come, and so will the humid summer with all it’s glorious bugs. Knowing that we only have a few months of this, I’m going to try and cherish it. I’m going to call the kids inside and make them some hot cocoa. We can put on a movie and snuggle up together under the blankets near the fireplace. Heck, maybe I’ll even make soup for dinner.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.