ONE OF THEM TOO

“Ya wanna go for a walk?”

“Are you nuts! It’s the dog days of summer!”

“Yeah, but it’s evening and cooling down.”

“Right, it’s cooled way down from a sweltering 99 to a right frosty 89, with the humidity still matching it point for point!”

Ever since moving to North Carolina, I find the summer heat unbearable and the humidity to be suffocating. I’m grateful every day for air conditioning that works! It’s good to be grateful. It takes my mind off lamenting.

Still, I long for the environs of Michigan, the place I grew up. There are four full seasons there, as opposed to the two seasons we have here — “hot” and “less hot.” I remember the promise of Spring, with whispering warmth softly melting the long chill. Looking up one day, I’d see vibrant green leaves sprouting on the barren limbs of waking trees. Leading to just the right amount of Summer; not too hot and long enough to be appreciated, savored, and enjoyed for the gift of its bounty.

Then there comes the crisp mornings of Autumn, adorned in its colorful array of gilded foliage! Paving the way for the rest and solitude of Winter. A chance for repose, to put into perspective where I’ve been and allowing me space to ponder where I will go. It offers the excitement of tobogganing down white hills glistening in the tempered rays of the Winter sun. Or a pensive shush through snow blanketed woods while cross-country skiing.

It’s ironic, but Winter was when I had the greatest chance to become overheated, dressing too warmly when going skiing. But then, I was smart enough to layer my clothing and could simply peel back as my internal temperature rose in tandem with my rising love of the beauty surrounding me.

Others, of course, would complain about the frigid temperatures, the hassle of snow, the treachery of ice. But with a little forethought and planning, the sting of those conditions could be brought under control quite easily. All it takes is acceptance of one’s situation and giving up the futile fight to overcome the iron hand of nature.

Acceptance is the true catalyst for tolerance. And tolerance promotes coexistence. Why can’t those complainers simply . . . accept . . . their . . . situation . . . letting tolerance open up the door to appreciating and enjoying the natural wonder surrounding them each moment.

Hmmmm, I guess I’ve become one of them, haven’t I? But for me it’s the blistering heat of North Carolina summers instead of the biting cold of Michigan winters. Funny how the wall of bias can blindside us, robbing us of the luster of life.

“Hey, ya still wanna go for that walk?”

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