I opened the door into a brand new day.
I drew the fresh air into my lungs as I gathered an armload of firewood and some kindling.
Closing the door behind me, keeping the chill outside, I made my way to the fireplace.
I placed the kindling atop a crumpled newspaper and set them alight.
The fire took, and I gently placed a few smaller logs around the flame, taking care to keep the fire ablaze.
I sat back and enjoyed the sight.
Wandering into the kitchen, I grabbed my hot cup of coffee and quietly slipped into the living room.
Holding the coffee cup near my nose, I gazed out the window.
The full moon cast brightness upon the freshly fallen snow.
The lake and trees were illuminated by the moonlight, in a soft, gentle way.
All was quiet. Still. Calm.
I sat and sipped my coffee, my eyes going back and forth between the warming fire and the gentle scene outside.
Time passed and there I sat, still taking in the imagery as it unfolded before me.
The fire blazing.
The clouds, low on the horizon, began to take on hues of red.
As I sat, the reds became orange, and the orange faded to a bright white.
Though it had cooled considerably, my coffee still warmed me, as did the fire.
More time passed, and soon the snow-covered bouldery outcrops were brightened by the morning’s first light.
A new day had dawned.
The sky turned the vivid blue that can only happen on a bitterly cold autumn morning, and the air was still.
A group of chickadee happily hopped around just outside the window, seeking their breakfast.
I arouse from my chair, stretched my back, then stoked the fire, adding another log.
I glanced around me, and found joy in what I beheld. It was going to be a good day.
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Please take some time to love your loved ones during the holiday season, and every day.
Bryan