Summers, the dawn is raucous with songbirds. In February, I stand outside in the dark, the cold swirling around my hands and head, hungry, hungry, it seems for my warmth. The icy snow makes the lightest tap against the kitchen window. We’re socked in by sleet and ice and snow in Vermont, the winter wrapping around us. When my daughters were little, how I chafed against those endless winter days. Now, I’m glad to be awake and working while the household sleeps. The cats have wandered downstairs for their breakfast, and curled up for their post-breakfast rest. Our house is warm; the daughters are well; the bills are paid; I have work.
Let the snow pile up. Among those many motherhood lessons is a solid carpe diem — and to log in a few more hours of work before the day drifts along….
Winter solitude—
In a world of one color
The sound of wind.
— Basho
Stony Soil Vermont 
Your line “glad to be awake and working while the household sleeps” nicely sums up many parenting days…and yes, I am typing this in the early am while my household sleeps! GT
Thank goodness for those who sleep in! I notice my neighbors are often awake very, very early with their little ones….
Beautifully said. It’s such a lovely feeling of security, to be up and aware while the loved ones sleep. The sleet and winds are around us, but we are inside where it is dry, and they are safe.
One of the really nice things about winter.
I’ve always looked forward to snow days, and we’re in the middle of two in a row. My granddaughter stayed over and we just had these lovely, unstructured expanses of time together. So perfect.
Such a beautiful description of my idea of a somewhat perfect morning.
We think alike. 🙂
How nice for you, Dorothy! Someday, when I’m in the midst of grandmotherhood, I hope to savor those days more than I did as a young mother!
Bashō sums it up so perfectly
. Thanks for thinking of this haiku, Brett. On days like this I am ever so grateful for a warm house and food to eat…time to go make the split pea soup from Moosewood Cookbook!
Enjoy the soup! That’s one of my most favorite cookbooks, especially the poppyseed cake.
No snow days here yet this year – and this makes me want one!