Winter is on the way and the wind is crisp and cool. The holiday season is fast approaching with all of the hustle and bustle that comes with it. Thanksgiving with all the trimmings is in the planning along with Christmas lists beginning to be penned. The holidays are a wonderful part of the winter season, the part that brings us vivid and bright colors, warm rememberances of family and friends and opportunities to share with those we love and cherish. We don't have snow here in East Tennesse very often any more and the winter's landscape can appear to be gray and colorless. I happen to be one who enjoys the colors of winter. The stark contrast of leafless trees reaching up into a deep blue sky speaks to me of hope and courage, strength and endurance.
Every time we drive away from our home we must travel over a small old bridge that crosses over a lake surrounded by hills and trees. This little bridge is ordinary to most around here in this neck of the woods. Bridges like this one can be found all around East Tennesse and rarely get mentioned and get even less notice. The little bridge that we cross each day says a lot more to me than it does to others I guess. The little bridge says "you are almost home" to me. This little bridge has always been dependable, strong, welcoming and has always led me safely in the right direction no matter how stormy life has been.
I seem to appreciate the little bridge more during the winter months. After all the colorful leaves of fall have fallen and the landscape's stark cold grays have taken their place I continue to cross over the little bridge. It is a place where the deep blue sky with feathery white clouds reflects from the glistening water surrounding it and the shadowed reflection of the trees around the lake's shore reach out across the water's surface as if to lovingly embrace all who pass by. A vivid reminder that home is where your family and friends are, no matter where that may be. A place where you are always welcomed with outreached arms to embrace you, no matter what circumstances may be passing through your life. Home is the place where warmth, hope, strength and endurance abide. The place to share warm rememberances of family and friends and a place that gives us opportunities to share with those we love and cherish. The cold gray landscapes of winter in East Tennessee are merely doors that open into the bright and vibrant warmth and celebration of family and friends and the celebration of where home truly exists.
Posts
