When my sister and I were young we lived off a field with a tall hill. It was technically called ‘The Hydro Property’ with a larger-than-life hydro pole at the top.
We grew up in Hamilton, Ontario Canada in the 1970s and 80s. We had a lot of snow in those days.
Some of my earliest memories were of tobogganing down the hill with other excited kids screaming for our lives till we reached the bottom. Then we would just march right back up again for more punishment.
We spent more time on the snow-covered field than other children because it was just off our yard.
Night Skiing Cypress Mountain — Vancouver, BC — Photo property of Author (not our yard)
One morning, the sun was warm, and the gigantic icicles were falling and crashing from the cables running down to the next larger-than-life pole. Being the older sister and the ‘responsible’ one I decided we should sit in the snow against a fence with the red plastic toboggan as our shelter to keep safe, of course.
We would hide under our shelter for an hour at least just listening to the ‘crashing’ of the gigantic icicles.
The snow glistening in the sunlight was always a treat. I remember spending 20 minutes bundling up in our snowsuits and some days finding out it was colder than it looked, so we turned around and went right back indoors.
Winter Stroll in the Neighbourhood — Photo by Author
Hot chocolate and warm blankets were always waiting for us.
Cypress Mountain — Property of Author
The winter season, regardless of the bitter cold is a postcard memory for me. It’s the season of my youth. The season I remember most.
After a large snowstorm, my mother and I would venture out for a walk along our winter wonderland street. The snow drifts towered over us creating secret passages of glistening snow in the moonlight.
Snowy Vancouver Night in Vancouver — Photo by Author
Night Scene in Whistler — Image by Author
Our snowy adventure was always accompanied by our harmonious singing of ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ while holding my mother’s hand as children do.
Snowy Walk in the Neighbourhood — Photo by Author
Fast forward a few decades and I’m driving with my children one morning in the snow. As we’re nearing their school I realize the roads are full of slush, ice and accumulating snow. The road ahead has a downhill slope.
Living in Vancouver where snowfall happens only a few days a year I did not have snow tires.
As a mom, I have to keep my children safe right?
I made a last-minute important decision to turn off the downhill slope into Queen Elizabeth Park, famous in Vancouver for playing in the snow. My children were confused until I joyfully called out SNOW DAY!
Their excitement is a memory of winter I will never forget.
We played in the snow for a while, then drove home to get out our toboggans.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to barricade ourselves under the red plastic of the sled from crashing icicles.
From my many memories in the snow, winter will always and forever be my favourite season.
This is in response to JoAnn Ryan’s September Challenge — Seasons.
A September Writing Challenge on In Living Color: Seasons
I greatly enjoyed reading and marvelling at the beautiful images of Iceland in Brad Yonaka’s story!
Life Is Tough On The West Men Islands
I also loved reading Melissa Rock sharing the stunning seasons of Wisconsin. She just hopes you don’t go in the winter for fear of never wanting to return:
My Seasonal Dread Peaked in the Boundary Waters
The appreciation and anticipation of doing nothing
I also want to acknowledge Annie Forbes Cooper and her poignant article on the bittersweet season of September in New York:
September: A Bitter-Sweet Time in New York City
Remembering how the events of a coruscatingly clear day changed everything
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This post was previously published on MEDIUM.COM.
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Photo credit: iStock.com
