A Fond Memory

The cold envelopes everything around me.

I open the blinds, the sky is gray, there’s snow on the ground.

Inside I am warm. Inside I am safe.

I go into the kitchen to make breakfast.

Later that day I go outside, wrapped in my winter coat and wearing my winter boots.

I open that door and the sharp wind hits my face like a blast.

I’m covered head to toe but nothing to cover my face.

While I’m warm I can still tell how savagely cold it is.

I venture out to my favorite shop on foot, taking in my familiar surroundings that have been overtaken by the veil of winter.

Trees once magnificent have lost their leaves, the sun plays a game of hide-and-seek.

Still, life goes on. The seasons come and go, as they say.

I make it to my favorite shop after a long hike and everything is well in the world. It’s warm inside.

“Hi,” the cashier greets me.

“Hi,” I say.